Peace Guaranteed (Eph 5:17-33, Col 3:12-25, 1 Pet 3:1-13)

My brothers and sisters who are married have a way, just like all believers, of dealing with the bitterness of life and the evil of their spouses conduct; it is FULL submission to Christ (1 Pet 3:13).

If the husband is wrong, then let the wife, by her spirit, show that she knows God, and He will be with her, as her Rewarder! 1 Peter 3:1 says, “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 the wives”. She cannot lose out by obeying Him, and neither the spouse, nor the world, can change the fact that God rewards all who obey Him (Col 3:24). Your peace isn't determined by the obedience of someone else; it is completely between you and God.

The husband is offended and ready for wrath, but he has no reason to sin because his wife sins against him. Eph 5:25-26 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word”. We BELIEVE God, obey the gospel, and put into practice the loving, patient, spirit of Christ. He loved us while we were yet sinners, and He cleansed us by laying down His own life! What a blessing to have peace guaranteed for bosses, employees, parents, and children, and to have it NEVER depend on the obedience of someone else (Col 3:18-4:1). They may bring a blessing to your door in the form of a curse, but when you respond according to scripture and submissiveness to Christ, then God promises to pay you back good for their evil (1 Pet 3:8-12).

I'm learning not to take matters into my own hands. You can't force the wife's obedience, nor change the husband by your will, but you can obey God, have peace within, and hope that God, by your example and the Spirit will work conviction, correction, and good works in the one you're dealing with. In all things, obey. Know that you can, and you must, through Christ (Phil 4:13). He'll give the grace to obey, so that other people's sins don't destroy your peace, but through prayer and submission, He'll give a peace that cannot can be destroyed (1 Pet 3:13).

You may go to Him over and over, arising early to prayer and resting your head in cries for mercy in the night, but it can and will be done.