1 Peter
3:1-7
Likewise,
wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the
word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see
your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do
not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of
gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but
let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable
beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how
the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to
their own husbands, 6 as
Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do
good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise,
husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the
woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life,
so that your prayers may not be hindered.
"Do not let your adorning be external!" If you do not like who you are on the inside, it does not matter what you look like on the outside. If you do not like what you look like on the outside, it is probably because you are not satisfied with who you are on the inside.
Most people in this modern age wear masks. They hide their true selves from the rest of the world. We do not want people to actually know who we are on the inside. St Peter is reminding us that other people are going to show you their best, or worst. They are going to cover up their flaws. They are going to keep their distance.
Maybe it is more popular with women than men, but women often plaster their faces with make-up, sculpt their hair all over their bodies. Women lavish themselves with jewelry, fancy clothing, and visible cleavage. These things all create a false picture of who you are.
God clothes you with righteousness. God clothes his people with his only precious Son Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of all your sins. We should not wrap our life up in external adornment, but in our Baptismal life. You have been drowned with Christ, and raised to newness of life.
Most people in this modern age wear masks. They hide their true selves from the rest of the world. We do not want people to actually know who we are on the inside. St Peter is reminding us that other people are going to show you their best, or worst. They are going to cover up their flaws. They are going to keep their distance.
Maybe it is more popular with women than men, but women often plaster their faces with make-up, sculpt their hair all over their bodies. Women lavish themselves with jewelry, fancy clothing, and visible cleavage. These things all create a false picture of who you are.
God clothes you with righteousness. God clothes his people with his only precious Son Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of all your sins. We should not wrap our life up in external adornment, but in our Baptismal life. You have been drowned with Christ, and raised to newness of life.
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