Living With an Eternal Perspective: A Guided Reading of Peter's Letter to the Persecuted ChurchSample

Following Christ is about both what we believe and how we live those beliefs. Peter speaks directly to husbands and wives, but the principles apply to all of us.

Our conduct matters because it's part of our witness. Peter notes that some "may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives" (1 Peter 3:1 NASB). When others see something different in how you respond to challenges or treat others, they notice.

Our heart directs our actions. Therefore, we must devote time to cultivating a healthy heart with a “gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God” (1 Peter 3:4 NASB emphasis added). Everything out in the open, your words and actions, starts in the hidden part of you (which is seen by God).

Also, it’s helpful to remember to whom exactly Peter was writing. While Roman society viewed wives as property, Peter calls Christian husbands to honor their wives as "a fellow heir of the grace of life" (1 Peter 3:7 NASB).

Without an eternal perspective, Christians’ righteous conduct makes no sense. Why submit to oppressive authorities? Why not return an insult for an insult when the other party deserves to be knocked down a peg? It’s because our perspective is not limited to right now. When we think of eternity, and we think of Jesus' promise to return, and we remember that He has already won, we can endure temporal suffering and persecution. We can even respond with joy and blessing.

Questions To Ponder:

Do you put as much effort and care into developing your heart as you do your external appearance?

Where does my conduct line up with my faith? Where does it veer off course?