Taking the Cake

1 Peter 3:1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

When it comes to the subject of marriage, God’s Word takes the cake.

When the Word of God speaks, it propels us to places we may never go, and compels us to think in ways which we may never think. (On our own.)

How else but by the Holy Spirit can Peter say exactly what Paul says, while also encouraging it as a reward, “Wives, submit to your husbands…”

This may not be the “cake” you were expecting when you got married.

But Peter speaks of the necessity of wives “winning their husbands.” (There is more than ‘cake’ involved here.) Eternal life may be on the line. (What if it is?)

In encouraging submission to governments and masters, Peter was leading us into acknowledging a far greater purpose for our lives, that we may evangelize the lost by our very lives, and by our life-style - of submitting to those who may be unworthy of being submitted to.

And yet, we are to do so anyway. Because. Jesus. Did. Remember?

My own self demands satisfaction. The Bible teaches me to seek the satisfaction of others - and then I will be satisfied. It is only those who lose their life who win it.

And so Peter, without apology, goes completely contrary to modern psychology and exhorts wives to give up the authority they may desire for their lives – and to yield that authority to their husbands EVEN IF THEIR HUSBAND IS A LOSER – that he may be won.

The real wedding cake is in heaven. (See Rev 19.) Can I wait until then, or do I have to have it now?

And…husbands, can you not see this for what it is? Will you be a winner, or a loser?

-Pastor Bill