Husbands

566.  "Husbands"                     July 19, 2012
1 Peter 3-Part 4
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered.  1 Peter 3:7


LET IT GLOW

Husbands-got ta love 'um.
If I am being the kind of wife Peter talked about in our previous lesson, then chances are my husband will be the kind described in verse 7. What did I learn about being a wife? I am to trust God, submit to my own husband, have a gentle and quiet spirit, and have an honorable appearance (hair, jewelry, dress). If you missed that lesson, then catch up girl. It is worth your time.

When I think of the differences of men and women, they are as different as night and day. Why are men so different? God made them that way. Maybe women are the different ones, since man was created last. Just a thought. Girls, I'm going to share what I have learned over the years. Maybe it will help a young wife.

Shaunti Feldhahn, in her book, For Women Only, concluded this about most men after 400 completed a survey:

• Men need respect. They need to be respected for who they are, apart from how they do. Respect his judgment, abilities, in communication, in public, in our assumptions.
• Men feel insecure. They feel like impostors and are insecure that their inadequacies will be discovered. Affirmation is everything; let him know he's the greatest, number one. If a man know that his wife believes in him, he is empowered to do better in every area of his life.
• Men are providers. Providing is at the core of a man's identity. It is a way they say "I love you." Providing accompanies his need to succeed. It carries an ongoing risk of failure. Providing means earning enough for both present and future. What to do: reconsider existing areas of conflict (smaller house), help relieve the pressure, encourage and appreciate him.
• Men want more sex. Sex effects his sense of well-being and confidence in all areas of his life. It fills a powerful emotional need. Sex make him feel loved and desired. Fulfilling sex gives him confidence. It removes loneliness. Choose to love him in the way he needs. Learn his signals, get involved, make it a priority.
• Men are visual. He can't not want to look. Men have a mental Rolodex of sensual images. (The eye magnet is a woman showing off her body. Images are stored, not removed.) These images and thoughts arrive involuntarily. His physical impulse is to enjoy the feelings associated with them. He can choose to dwell on the images and thoughts, or dismiss them. Be reassurred: his temptation isn't often primarily sexual; every man is different; it's not because of you; it doesn't impact his feelings for you. Help him during his HALT-Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired times.
• Men are unromantic clods. They enjoy romance, want to be romantic, but hesitate because they doubt they can succeed. Playing together is romantic to him. Join him in what he likes to do-sports, tv, walk, music. Romance without sex may not feel complete to him. Encourage him, entice him,  keep hubby number one.
• Men care about appearance. He needs to see you making an effort to take care of yourself. It makes him feel loved and cared for, valued and happy. He wants to be proud of you.

There we have it ladies, ways to better understand your husband and please him. Am I?

LET IT GROW

Getting back to Peter, what does he say to the husband?

• Live with your wife. Settle in, be at home, be comfortable around her.
• Know your wife. Marriage is like a volt-it only opens to one person. Understand her fears, dreams, likes.
• Honor your wife. Show her sespect by listening to her, pay attention, and ask why she is crying or upset.

[Reference: Charles Swindoll]

Others add further meaning to verse 7:

The husband is the leader, and yet he must also submit in humility, not to his wife, but to the good of the marriage. The grace of life is the inheritance which has been received together. If a husband doesn't give honor to the wife, prayers will be hindered.  (Falwell)

She is physically weaker, so recognize her limitations and don't expect more than is appropriate. Love, honor, understand your wife.   (Guzik)

Speak well of your wife, be respectful to her, by deeds as well as words. (Gill)

Am I being a helper or a hindrance to my husband? Is my love for him growing or is is stagnating?

LET IT GO

Be the Christian that glorifies God.

Serve my husband.

Respect, affirm, appreaciate, and love my husband.

Make him the number one guy in my life. (God is always first.)

How to be a Beautiful Woman

565.  "How to be a Beatiful Woman"             July 18, 2012
1 Peter 3-Part 3
This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.  1 Peter 3:5-6 NLT

LET IT GLOW

We have a pair of birds that often sit on top of the electric pole across the road or on top of the dead pine tree in our yard and sing up a storm. Well, they sing praises to Jesus, sounding like a yardful of various birds. (I wish a storm of rain would come.) I enjoy listening to them so much. Sometimes I whistle, but they don't mock me. I suppose they know the difference in a bird singing and a person's whistle. The point is, those two birds mock or imitate other songbirds.
Who do I imitate? Movie stars, singers, the rich, those street girls, or godly women of the Bible?

Since Peter talked about the women of old, referring to those in Old Testament times, inwardly beautiful godly women, we should imitate them, doing what they did since they pleased God, making ourselves beautiful. What did they do that made them beautiful?

• They trusted in God.
• They accepted their husband's authority. 
• They adorned themselves with the submission to their husband.
• They had a gentle and quiet spirit.
• Their manner of life, behavior, was pure.

These women demonstrated their faith and trust in God by being submissive.
It became improper dress for holy women to plait their hair (braids, curls, knots on top), wear excessive, bangling gold jewelry, and seductive clothing, since the harlots commonly did such.

Submission to her husband was so important to God that He made it a manifestation of "walking with the Lord," "being in the will of God," and "being filled with the Holy Spirit."  (Eph. 5:15-18)
(The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace)

Are my hairstyles, jewelry, and clothing honoring God and my husband? Or are they drawing attention to me? Who do I imitate-godly women or worldly women? Am I trusting God to lead my husband?


LET IT GROW

How was Sarah a good example for us women to follow?

• Sarah, Abraham's wife, submitted to her husband by moving all over the place, sometimes not knowing where he was going, even down to Egypt.
• She obeyed Abraham when he told her to tell a king that she was his sister, not his wife.
• Sarah honored and respected Abraham when she called him "lord." (see Genesis 12 and 18)

Did you know that we are like Sarah's daughters when we do the same things?
If it is hard for us to submit, obey, and respect our husband, ask God why that is. Tell the Lord Jesus about it and ask for His help in those areas. I know we all want to be a ravishing beauty in God's eyes, on the inside, that is.

Jesus submitted to His heavenly Father, shouldn't I?

LET IT GO

Pride, jealousy, bitterness, bossiness, all  have to go out the door, girls. Slam that door on them.

Allow the Holy Spirit to fill me with love and respect for my husband.

Submit and obey him. God is pleased when I do.

Make my husband king of our castle. Call him Prince, Sir, King, my lord. (Don't give him a heart attack, though.)

Be an imitator, not an immitation.  (Imitate the godly Biblical women, but be real, not an actress.)

Hair, Jewelry, and Clothing

564.  "Hair, Jewelry, and Clothing"                  July 17, 2012
1 Peter 3-Part 2
Whose (wives) adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.   1 Peter 3:3-4


LET IT GLOW

Not many came to visit her, this widow of about forty years, living alone in the house her husband built. She always dressed in old duster, clean and ironed shift dress with old black tie-up granny shoes, gray hair in a bun, no make-up, just age on her face, no fancy jewelry. That was always her appearance, the same every time I came to visit. She spent her days gardening, flowers and vegetables, preserving food, cooking for grandchildren, reading, crocheting, and other home-bound activites. (She lived to be one hundred.) A Bible was always sitting next to her handiwork. She was the sweetest little old lady, my Aunt Artie. She always dropped what she was doing and sat down to visit whenever I came. She listened to how things were going in my life, my family, immediate and extended. Time seemed to stop moving when I entered her door, or walked through the sweet aroma of petunias.

She showed me her latest crocheting project, gave my some precious houseshoes she made, a gift from the heart. Always had to give me some fresh vegetables to take home. Pointed out her latest new flowers. Showed me old family pictures. Her house was filled with love and so was her life. There was always a smile on her face." Ohhhh!" was her expression of excitement. Giving, caring, and sharing. I loved my aunt Artie. Why didn't I visit her more often? Although she was not a beauty queen, she was a very beautiful lady to me.

That's what Peter is talking about here in this chapter.

Real beauty comes from the hidden person of the heart. It isn't something you wear or primp for. It is something you are. Inner beauty of a godly woman is incorruptible. It doesn't decay or get worse with age. It only gets better with age, and is of so much more value that the beauty that comes from the hair, jewelry, clothing. (Guzik)

Thayer's Lexicon says:
adorning means ornament, decoration (orderly arrangement-Strong's Concordance);
plaiting refers to the interweaving, braiding, a knot; an elaborate gathering of the hair into knots;
gold refers to golden ornaments, precious things made of gold;
apparel is a dress, inner or outer apparel, cloke, clothes, garment, robe.

How is my appearance? Am I decorating myself too much, overdoing it? Am I trying to be June Cleaver? Or am I the opposite and sloppy, unclean in my appearance?

Peter was not condemning all outward adornment. His condemnation is for incessant preoccupation with the outward to the disregard of one's character. Every Christian woman is especially to concentrate on developing that chaste and reverent Christlike character. (MacArthur)

In Peter's day, women dyed their hair and wore wigs, too. What is the source of my beauty?

With what am I reoccupied? What takes up my time, money, energy, and thoughts?

Nancy Leigh DeMoss, in her book, Lies Women Believe, says:

The outward appearance of the Christian woman is to reflect a heart that is simple, pure, and well-ordered; her clothing and hairstyles should not be distracting or draw attention to herself by being extravagant, extreme, or indecent. In this way, she reflects the true condition of her heart and her relationship with the Lord, and she makes the Gospel attractive to the world. You belong to the King-you are royalty. Dress and conduct yourself in a way that reflects your high and holy calling. Don't think, dress, or act like the world.
(See 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Proverbs 31)

I want my appearance to reflect a heart that is simple, pure, and well-ordered. How is  my clothing and hairstyle? Do they draw attention to me and not pointing others to Jesus? How is the condition of my heart? Is it submissive to Jesus and my husband?

Beauty must come from the heart, not the store. (Wiersbe)

Regardless of what potions, pills, or procedures I purchasse, I know there is a process taking place in my physical body that will not be reversed this side of eternity. (DeMoss)

Hair, jewelry, and clothes-don't let them preoccupy my time, nor cause men to stumble into wrong thoughts and sin. Honor the Lord with my appearance. Stay fit and trim according to my age. Make sure my clothing is not youthful looking.

LET IT GROW

Now that we got the outside its proper perspective, let's get work on the inside. The hidden person of the heart-this is where the true beauty lies, ladies. It is real, always present, never fades, grows.

What is worth a great price and precious in the sight of God? A meek and quiet spirit (inside a lady).

According to Thayer's Lexicon, meek means mild, humble; quiet means tranquil; (still and peaceable-Strong's Concordance)

How's my attitude and graditude? Am I prideful or meek and gentle, loud or quiet?

Scripture doesn't condemn physical beauty or suggest the outward appearance does not matter. What is condemned is taking pride in God-given beauty, giving excessive attention to physical beauty, or tending to physical matters while neglecting matters of the heart. (DeMoss)

Am I cultivating my inner beauty, character, and radiance that are pleasing to God and last forever?

Focus on those things that God says matter most-things like letting His Spirit cultivate in me a gracious, wise, kind, loving heart, with fruit of the Spirit.

Keep studying His Word, friends. Keep praying sweet ones. God looks upon the heart, as He told Samuel when he was searching for a new king God wanted.

Titus 2:3-4 directs the young woman. You may be one or you have a daughter who is one. Either way, it is directive.

LET IT GO

What do I need to change in my heart? Be submissive to God's ways, not my ways.

What does my appearance say about my heart? Be conservative and feminine, not flashy.

Wear truth, love, gentleness, joy.

Let go of the worldly ways and let Jesus lead me.

Evaluate my hair, jewelry, clothing, and character.

Be beautiful inside and out.






















When I think of  

Lives of Wives

563.  " Lives of Wives"         July 16, 2012
1 Peter 3-Part 1
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives. While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  1 Peter 3:1-2

LET IT GLOW

I will admit that growing up the youngest child of three, being seven and ten years younger, resulted in my being extremely spoiled. I began the teenage years basically an only child. My sibblings were off to college/married by that time. I got to watch tv shows I liked, most of the time. I went on shopping sprees with Mom (got any 3 piece outfits and shoes I wanted ). I had the freedom to go almost anywhere I wanted. Money was available at my asking. Few chores were demanded of me. My goodness, was I a spoiled thing! At the time, I didn't realize it. Now that you know my background, you will understand why my marriage at age 18 was very rocky. My husband, on the other hand, was the oldest of seven children. He was very used to being in charge. Needless to say, I had some adjusting to do that first year. (Truthfully, a lot of adjusting.) We didn't live the same lifestyle to which I was accustomed. We made it, although some said it wouldn't last long. A rich girl married a poor boy in the world's eyes. We will celebrate our 40th anniversary in November.
Thank the Lord for His help. I hope it lasts another 40. I love you dear! Thank you for putting up with me.
You can see that I had a lot to learn about being married-loving, giving, serving, submitting. We were both Christians at the time, but Peter gives instructions to those wives whose husband is not a Christian.

Here's how lost husbands may be converted:
-without a word; her holy conduct, lifestyle of faith; no lectures, no nagging, no criticizing;
- her being in subjection to him; subjection means to yield to one's advice, to submit to one's control,
  under; cheerfully and godly submitting to husband, if it doesn't violate God's laws (Acts 4:19) and
  causes us to sin;
-chaste conversation; chaste means pure from every fault; conversation means manner of life,
  behavior, conduct; don't lead a sinful lifestyle;
-fear of God (Eph. 5:33); reverence, respect, honor.

Christian wives can win their husbands to the Lord just by applying humility and by being a good wife. (Falwell)

An unbelieving husband sees the gospel which his wife believes must be true. (Grudem)

Let God his way in your husband; demonstrate your trust in God; submit to God's way. (Guzik)

LET IT GROW

Being a servant means one who gives themself up wholly to another's will. How's my willingness?

Proper submission in the home follows the same principles of subjection towards government or employers. It's a submisssion of not only of the actions, but of the heart-as demonstrated by surrendered heart of Jesus (2:21-25).
So if you are a new believer, don't leave your husband who is not a believer in Jesus. Don't assume a superior position over him either. Show Jesus' love and humility.
If both husband and wife are Christians, we can still apply these principles, too, ladies.
Why submit? Warren Wiersbe, in his book, Be Hopeful, says:

• Submission is an obligation. God has commanded it because, in His wisdom, He knows that this is the best arrangement for a happly, fulfilling marriage.
• Submission is an opportunity. Wives minister, serve, and honor Jesus as they do also to the husband.
• Submission is an ornament. She is clothed in humility, an inner beauty.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Colossian 3:18
Older women are to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  Titus 2:5
In the same way, you wives, must accept the authority of your husbands. (NIV)

The Message says The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty. What matters is not your outer appearance-the styling of your heari, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes-but your inner disposition.

How's my disposition? How's the temperature of my submission?

LET IT GO

Let go of self and submit to my husband.

Recognize my husband as the authority of our home.

Serve him as " king of our castle" today.

Honor Jesus in my submission.

A Cow is Out

562.  " A Cow is Out"              July 13, 2012
1 Peter 2-Part 10
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

LET IT GLOW

Cows go astray outside of fences. A cow got out of the fenced-in field somewhere this morning. She was eating grass in our yard. I knew something was wrong because the herd was mooing, which I call tattling on her. We got her back in, but she was hesitant. Aren't people like that? We go astray from God in prayer, stop reading His Word, skip church services, wonder around in the world. Then before we know it we have totally gone astray from God. Okay, I should have used I instead of we. Like sheep or cows, I go astray. I am so thankful that my Good Shepherd Jesus brings me back.


Peter walked and talked with Jesus. He was one of the disciple. He conveys this about Christ, the Messiah:

• He knew no sin. He patiently endured unjust suffering  because He was sinless. Jesus' innocence meant that His execution was undeserved. (Is. 53:9) though Jesus lived in the likeness of sinful flesh, though He looked like a sinful man, though He was born of a sinful woman, He committed no sin. (Gill)
• He reviled not when He was reviled. Revile refers to abuse in speech or writing. (Webster's Dictionary) Jesus neither resented insults nor sufferings inflicted upon Him. (People's N.T.) Jesus didn't grumble under His breath, behind their back, but kept loving those mean people. There was no immorality in His conversation.
• He threatened not when He suffered. Although Jesus could have called thousands of angels to rescue Him and kill His enemies, He did not do it. He carried out God's plan instead.
• He committed Himself to God who judges righteously. Jesus gave our judgment between Him and His enemies to God to handle. He left it up to God.
• He bore our sins in His own body on the cross. Christ died for our sins, not His own. He took our punishment meating the requirements of a holy God, which is a blood sacrifice.
• He did it so we should live unto righteousness. As sinners, we are crucified with Christ, baptized into His death, then raised to walk in newness of life. Jesus trusted in God's sovereignty and in His working good in the suffering. If we suffer, God has allowed it, not caused it. It's due to sinful choices of people.
• He heals us spiritually by His stripes. (Is. 53:5-6) Jesus was wounded, bruised, chastised, beaten in our place so we don't have to pay for our sins.
• He is our Shepherd. Is. 53:6 calls us sheep who have gone astray. Our sins led us away from God.
• He is our Bishop. Jesus watches over us and cares for us as a pastor of a church does.

Do I really comprehend all that Jesus did for me? Do I fluff it off or do I daily thank Him?

LET IT GROW

Verse 24 says that as believers in Christ, we are dead to sins and should live unto righteousness.

Being dead (apoginomai in Greek) means litterally to "move away from," and might be better translatted, "that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." The thought is that the life of Christian humility which is being exhorted here is a basic part of the reason for Christ's death on the cross.

How often do I die to sin and live to righteousness? Am I resisting temptations to sin or yielding? Do I have a right relationship with God throughout the day? Do I walk and talk with Him as I go?
Do I trust Jesus to be my Good Shepherd and Bishop? Am I trusting His decisions?

LET IT GO

Watch my words.

Resist temptations to sin.

Trust Jesus as my Good Shepherd to not lead me astray as I follow Him.

Trust Hinm for my provisions.

Thank You Jesus, for all You did for me when dying on the cross in my place.

Can You Take It?

561.  "Can You Take It?"                       July 12, 2012
1 Peter 2-Part 9
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1 Peter 2:18-21


LET IT GLOW

Can you take it? I have been an employee where I was yelled at while my boss was in my face, telling me what I was doing wrong. I didn't quit, though. I took the criticism and did what he wanted. They didn't think I could do it. They thought I would quit my job and they would be done with my Christian influence. Jesus gave me strength to sit quietly through it all. As a result, I later gave my testimony to coworkers and the plan of salvation to my class of first graders, of which some got saved. The rest of the story is, I worked at a Christian school at the time.
So I can take it when I am unjustly wronged, but I haven't always done it. Can you? Only through Jesus' strength and grace can we keep our cool. (Let me tell you, I cried when I got out in the parking lot, on the drive home, and all week end.)

What pleases God? That a person can endure pain while suffering unjustly for the sake of his godly conscience. (Falwell)

God can give us the grace to submit and "take it" and in this way glorify God. (Wiersbe)

Anyone can take it when he deserves it. It's when you don't deserve the chewing out that is hard.

Matthew 5:10-12 talks about being persecuted for righteousness sake, when you are reviled(insulted),  persecuted, and falsely accused. Yours is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.

LET IT GROW

Peter talks about our relationship with worldly authorities in previous verses. Now he is talking about our relationship toward worldly masters. We don't have slaves now days, but we are employees.

How are we to act?
New International Version tells us:

• Submit to your employers with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
• Suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God.
• Bear up under the pain of unjust suffering because you are conscious of God.
• You were called to this because Christ suffered for you.
• Christ left you an example that you should follow in His steps.

Am I following in His steps? Do I take revenge or leave it to God when wrongly treated? Is grumbling and criticism heard from me about the situation? Oh me. I haven't always reacted in the right way.

LET IT GO

Give the situation to Jesus for Him to handle.

Love my enemies and those that despitefully use me.

Follow in Jesus steps today.

Suffer fro doing good, not bad or wrong.

Priorities

560.  "Priorities"                  July 11, 2012
1 Peter 2-Part 8
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.  1 Peter 2:17

LET IT GLOW

What are my prioritites? Do I stop typing a lesson when hubby has a newpaper article or a bit from a book to share with me? Do I try to get all my computer work done before my granddaughter enters the door of my house? Do I listen as a friend calls unexpectantly and needs to talk on the phone? Do I drop what I'm doing to speak with a neighbor on her walk?  Do I spend enough time with Jesus in praise and prayer daily? Am I hungry for the Word as I am for breakfast? Am I thirsty for His Spirit as a cold glass of iced tea?
Sometimes one needs to back off and take a look at herself with Jesus' eyes. Am I pleasing my Savior? What are my priorities? Is showing love at the top? Peter pretty well sums up his priorities in one verse. since your're walking with me on this dusy country road, won't you take a few minutes and join me on my porch swing and we will discuss this verse? (I'll get us some iced tea. Sweet or unsweet?)

1. I think I would place fear God first in this group. How about you?
Matthew Henry said, "Fear God with the highest reverence, duty, and submission; if this is wanting, none of the other three duties can be performed as they ought."
Who is ultimately giving us these commands? God is through Peter.
Fear is used of His devout worshipers, according to Thayer's Lexicon. to cause fear, terrify, is how Young's Concordance explains the Greek word phobeo.(Sounds like phobea.)
Do I really fear Him Who holds my eternity in His hands? I tend to be more of a buddy with Jesus than fearing His position as All Mighty God, El Shaddiah.
2. I would place second the phrase love the brotherhood.
Love used in this verse is the Greek word agapao. It refers to a beloved, felt a love for. (Thayer's Lexicon)
This love has other verses listed under it in Young's Concordance. It also includes love:

• your neighbor (Matt. 5:43; 19:19; Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14;James 2:8)
• your enemies (Matt. 5:44)
• the Lord thy God (Matt. 22:37)
• one another (John 13:34;1Peter 1:2;1John 3:11,4:7,12; 2John 2:5)
• walking in love (Eph. 5:2)
• your wives, you husbands (Eph. 5-6, Col.3:19)
• righteousness (Heb. 1:9)
• the brethren (1John 3:14, 4:21)

NLT  says Respect everyone, and love your Christian bothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.
NIV says Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

The Message says Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.

If I love my brothers and sisters in Christ, then I won't criticize, judge, hurt them.

LET IT GROW

3. I would place thrid the phrase honor all men.

Honor means to estimated, fix the value; for the value of something belonging to one's self; to revere. (Thayer's Lexicon)

Respect every man as a fellow creature, as one who may be a fellow heir with you of eternal life. (Clarke)

Highly esteemed is the idea of honor. It refers not just to obedient duty but inner respect. (MacArthur)

Do I honor or respect all people? It should not matter about the place they hold, believer or unbeliever, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, janitor or preacher. I should show grace to all.

4. The last direction given is to honor the king.
Should it matter what view he holds to or doesn't hold to? I am to respect the office which he holds, and recall that God allows him to be there.

Caesar was the Roman emperor and Nero was the persecuting wicked ruler. Those Christians living at that time had it really bad, some killed for their belief in Christ. Yet they were told to honor the king. Shouldn't it be easier for me?

LET IT GO

Honor, love, and fear all people, brethren, God, and the king.