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<P>Keely has written a beautiful post on genuine Christian submission. I
think V2020 readers might be interested in Nancy Wilson's thoughts on the
topic.</P>
<P><A
href="http://www.credenda.org/issues/9-2femina.php">http://www.credenda.org/issues/9-2femina.php</A></P>
<P><A href="http://www.credenda.org/issues/9-2.php">Volume 9, Issue 2</A>:
Femina</P>
<H3>Two Hedges</H3>
<P><B>Nancy Wilson</B></P>
<P>Much godly wisdom about the feminine character is packed into the first six
verses of 1 Peter, chapter three. The primary charge to women in this passage
involves submission, and the rest of the exhortation addresses related areas of
modesty, internal beauty, a gentle and quiet spirit, trust in God, and fear. It
is vital that women understand the connection submission to husbands has to that
much desired gentle and quiet spirit.
<DIV class=indent><SPACER type="block" width="18">God has put two hedges around
a Christian woman for her protection. The first and more important is a woman's
trust in God. This is followed by a godly submission to husbands. "For in this
manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned
themselves, being submissive to their own husbands" (v. 5). Trust in God enables
a woman to submit to her husband, for it is certainly a prerequisite. She tells
herself that God is faithful, that He has commanded her to submit to her
husband, and that her obedience to God in submission is pleasing to Him. When
submission begins to look foolish or frightening or just plain unappealing, a
woman remembers this hedge of trust in God. He has promised never to leave or
forsake His children. A wife must trust Him and walk by faith. This is the first
protection. </DIV>
<DIV class=indent><SPACER type="block" width="18">Some people mistakenly think
that a gentle and quiet spirit is displayed when a woman never speaks. This has
concerned some of the outgoing personalities because they don't know how to be a
silent lump. This is merely looking at externals. Certainly sometimes a quiet
spirit will be exhibited by silence, but not always. And a quiet person can be
all worked up on the inside. This is missing the point. A heart that is resting
in the faithfulness of God is gentle and quiet; it is not stirred up with worry
and anxiety. This gentle and quiet spirit is a calm, peaceful spirit. It is a
tame spirit, a gentled spirit. I have often compared this kind of spirit to a
glassy lake, not turbulent or troubled, but hardly showing a ripple. In
contrast, the anxious spirit is like a stormy sea with whitecaps whipping along
the shore. This of course brings to mind our Lord calming the troubled Sea of
Galilee. Likewise, He can calm our troubled spirits when we look to Him. </DIV>
<DIV class=indent><SPACER type="block" width="18">The second hedge of protection
is the submission itself. When a woman trusts God, she is enabled to submit
joyfully to her husband. This submission is another hedge of protection, because
it is obedience. The responsibility of the decision rests on the husband; the
consequences are his problem, not hers. This resting in God and submission to
husband is what makes a woman beautiful: "let it be the hidden person of the
heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very
precious in the sight of God" (v. 4). God thinks highly of this gentled spirit,
and so should we. We must strive for this kind of beauty, for it is
incorruptible. A calm wife is a joy to her husband; a worried wife is another
problem that needs solving. </DIV>
<DIV class=indent><SPACER type="block" width="18">A woman who is anxious and
worried is marring her beauty because fear is antithetical to a biblical beauty.
Sarah trusted in God and submitted to her husband in obedience. Christian women
are called to imitate her faith and her good works of submission. This kind of
good work keeps women from being afraid with any terror. When she is tempted to
worry about a decision her husband has made, a woman can tell herself that she
is trusting God and submitting to her husband, and that is what she is called to
do. She is not sinning and can rest peacefully, knowing that God is pleased when
she acts like one of Sarah's daughters. </DIV>
<DIV class=indent><SPACER type="block" width="18">Consider what this kind of
trust and submission looks like. Your husband has decided the family will travel
to visit an aging aunt who lives in the mountains. It's snowing. The roads are
slippery. You are tempted to worry, and you think it's a bad idea to go. Now
stop and think about it. Trust God. Is He the Lord of the roads? Is He Lord of
the weather? If He isn't, then go back to your worrying. But because He is
sovereign over all things, you can trust Him. Next, if you have given your
husband your advice, and he still wants to go, submit to him. It's his call.
Trust God, and submit to your husband. Rest and be beautiful. </DIV>
<DIV class=indent><SPACER type="block" width="18">Many areas of marriage and
child rearing are affected by this trust and submission. Your husband wants you
to homeschool and you feel inadequate. Your husband wants to put your children
in the local Christian school. You're afraid they are not ready, or that the
school won't be what you hoped. Your daughter wants to go shopping with a friend
in a big city an hour away. Your husband says yes and you wish he hadn't. Your
son is playing football, and you are worried he will get hurt. In all these
situations, after respectful communication of your concerns, trust God and
submit to your husband. This is the only way to have a gentle and quiet spirit.
</DIV>
<DIV class=indent><SPACER type="block" width="18">Remember, submission is your
primary duty before God to your husband. Learn to submit in a trusting,
beautifying manner. Not only will God be pleased, but so will your husband. Even
unbelievers are impressed with such behavior (v.1). Learn to appreciate the two
hedges you have about you, and be thankful. "</DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Georgia size=3 FAMILY="SERIF"
PTSIZE="12"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Georgia size=3 FAMILY="SERIF" PTSIZE="12">Rose
Huskey<BR><BR>"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight
you, then you win." Mahatma Gandhi</FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>