Christ-like Submission

Christ-like Submission

1 Peter 2:21-36 "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by his wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbnad so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

And let not your adornment be merely external - brainding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry; or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands. Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear."

3:1 "In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands..." This points us to the verses 2:21-23, in the same way as "Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps..."

Christ's example of submission to God	How can I follow Christ's example in submitting to my husband? Submission: the willing and positive response of a subordinate to the authority, the conscious choice of yielding to the will of the authority
Christ committed no sin (2:22)	Example: Am I "committing no sin" with my husband? Do I have wrong attitudes, bitterness, etc? Am I choosing to submit to the authority of my husband with a Christ-like attitude, or am I complying on the outside with an incorrect heart attitude?
No deceit was found in Christ's mouth (2:22)	Example: Is "no deceit found in my mouth?" Am I exaggerating facts? Am I manipulating? Do I have any hidden agendas?
While being reviled, Christ did not revile in return (2:23) revile: to insult, to call bad names, to treat as vile, repulsive, or disgusting	Example: When my husband "reviles me", am I "reviling in return?" Am I finding justification fo rmy own wrong attitudes and actions by blaming my husband and focusing on his fauilts?
While suffering, Christ uttered no threats. (2:23)	Example: When "suffering," am I "uttering any threats?" Am I threating the silent treatment, withholding favors, making him pay, etc.?
Christ kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. (2:23)	Example: Am I keeping my mind, that is not just a man to whome I am submitting, but that I am obeying God? Am I remembering that I can submit to my husband, knowing that in doing so I am entrusting myself "to Him who judges righteously." Therefore, God will take care of me.

By living out Christ's example of submission, even if any of our husbands "are disobedient to the word," they will "be won without a word by the chaste and respectful behavior of their wives." (3:1-2)

The thought of submitting to our husbands in this way goes against our natural instinct, however, as "holy women of the past" did, we are to be submissive to our own husbands, doing "what is right, without being frightened by any fear." (3:5-6) When we entrust ourselves to "Him who judges righteously" (2:23), there is no room for fear.

This is an article I found a while ago for anyone who has an unsave spouse...Submission? To a Lost Husband?