Doing Good for God's Glory
Pastor Steve Hardy
Honor Authority
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent [a]by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For [b]such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Act as free people, and [c]do not use your freedom as a [d]covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the [e]king.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are [f]harsh. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures [g]grief when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
Christ Is Our Example
21 For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps, 22 He who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 [h]and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself [i]brought our sins in His body up on the [j]cross, so that we might die to [k]sin and live for righteousness; by His [l]wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and [m]Guardian of your souls.
Godly Living
3 In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure [n]and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; 4 but it should 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. 5 For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right [o]without being frightened by any fear.
7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with [p]someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
