calvarychapelvisalia's webcam video August 26, 2011 10:54 AM

How to get along with your boss..

The verses below in 1st Peter 2:18-21  deal with how a servant/slave in the culture of Peter's day was to relate to their master.  The teaching here would apply also to modern day employees and employers. 
Please see the two different scenario's that Peter lists. And the example God has given us to follow in matters of work, suffering etc. 

1Pet 1:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

1Pet 1:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

1Pet 1:20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

1Pet 1:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Firstly, servants were to be submissive to their masters, and they were to do this with all respect, and it was not only to the good and the gentle, but also to the harsh. 

Submission, means to come under, to rank under, to submit yourself to, place yourself under your master. 

And Peter says, to be submissive, not only to a good, and gentle master, but also to one that might be harsh. Harsh means, crooked, untoward, unfair. ( Note, this is not a call to participate in any action or attitude that is against the Word of God, or one's own conscience. It's just speaking of the general attitude one is to have towards their master, boss, employer ) 

Secondly, Peter explains that this attitude of submission, ( especially if you are submitting because you know it's the right thing to do, and you happen to be enduring grief, and you are suffering in this situation ) That, one's submission, is commendable to God. Which means the gracious and kind thing to do. 

Peter then reasons, that if you are suffering because of your own faults and you are taking it patiently, that is really no credit to you. But, if on the other hand, when you have done well, and done what is right, and you are still suffering, and at this point you take it patiently, then, this is indeed commendable before God. It means, that you are showing grace and kindness in the face of difficulty, which is the call upon our lives.

Finally, Peter explains that this gracious attitude, is what we are called to. Jesus suffered for us, and He had done nothing wrong, yet He was gracious in His sufferings, and He left us an example to follow. His example of how to act when being mistreated. 

Thank You Lord Jesus for Your example to us. Help us to yield ourselves to You in the difficulties that we face. In Your Name. 

Applications/Promises.

1. This can all be done.

2. But, it starts with our submitting to the Lord.

3. He knows what it's like.

4. He understands it precisely.

5. He will walk us through times like this.

6. He is the example to follow.

7. We become good examples to others. 

8. May God bless you as you walk with Jesus.