Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
The word “slave” has become a kind of dirty word these days. It is a word like any other. The condition it describes is not pleasant nor is it desirable, but slavery has existed for thousands of years. Even God’s own people, when they lived in Egypt for 400 years were slaves to the Egyptians for most of that time.
Do not misunderstand me. I am not condoning slavery. Yet, look around. How much of the world is free? If people are not free, aren’t they the same as a slave? Slavery still exists and always will until Jesus Himself comes to rule the earth.
A modern equivalent of a slave is being an employee. The boss has exceptional control in some cases. Some bosses are unscrupulous enough to take advantage of the power they have over others. Some bosses are kind and thoughtful.
Peter’s point here is still relevant after two thousand years. If we paraphrase for today’s world it might sound something like this:
Employees of all kinds, in reverent fear of God, submit yourselves to your employer and boss, not only to those who are good and considerate but also to those who are harsh.
To me this seems consistent with Peter’s teaching in verse 13:
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority…”
Does it glorify God if we act proudly and arrogantly? If we ignore our social obligations and disparage those in leadership positions does that bring honor to our Father in Heaven? No, of course not. Peter is telling us to remember that we represent God wherever we go and whatever we do.
Application: Remember that you are God’s ambassador to the world. Act like it.
Food for Thought: How does submitting to a harsh employer glorify God?
How does submitting to a harsh employer glorify God?
I was hired in construction, responsible for completing $11,000,000.00 of a $28,000,000.00 project. The GM was the most totally out of control, corrupt, angry man I had ever worked with. I allowed him to be my boss and focused on managing my portion of the project.
In time he had me ordering thousands of dollars worth of tools each week. Two of everything with half being staged for???, and half to the project which would also quickly disappear. Eventually, I went over his head to the firm we had contracted with to build this facility and told them what was taking place. I was promptly fired by the maniac.
The contracting firm called me at home, told me, they were hiring me at the same salary, had me take two weeks vacation until they determined how they would utilize me. In two weeks I was back on the site as the Safety Manager for the entire project. The GM was retained, but the corruption stopped, and I thought he was going to pop a blood vessel everyday. I just kept my mouth shut, did my job and shut him down a couple times until he rectified an unsafe condition.
God was with me the entire time, and as all this was going on, the men on the job site were watching. As time passed, they were coming to me with praise for how I was handling everything. Confiding in me about problems they saw, and asked me how do you do it, or why are you different. I would tell them, I know a couple accepted Christ, others at least were given something to think about.
The job was finished, I was hired on as Operation Manager, hired a supervisory staff, 100 men and ran the operation until I started my own company which was very successful.
Obey God as we serve men, all will go well.
Ron,
That is a great story! I love the part where you say, “I allowed him to be my boss…” That is such a good description of a proper employee / employer relationship. It is when we feel powerless and out of options that frustration takes over and becomes our worst enemy.
Thank you for sharing!
In submitting to a harsh authority we glorify Christ by demonstrating a distinction between us and the world. We are to be holy (Leviticus 11: 44). This means that we are to be different, separate, distinct from worldly behaviors and attitudes.
By submitting to a harsh authority, we become a witness to that authority and to others of the Person of Christ in us. This points others to Christ and glorifies His name. It is ultimately submitting to Christ for His purposes as opposed to the human authority. 2 Timothy : 20 – 21.
Rich,
You paint a beautiful picture of our work on earth glorifying God through our suffering. As both you and Ron point out, righteous suffering can be a powerful witness.
Leviticus 11: 44 —
I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground.
2 Timothy 2: 20-21 —
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
I agree,..certainly a touchy word now days,..but I am still a slave to Christ,..government may get their taxes outta me but Jesus has my heart for obedience to Him,..
I know one thing for sure is that submitting to a harsh employer in a way puts heaping stacks of burning coals on top of their head,..submission shows love for the other,..may not be the kinda of love they are after but it shows love,..and it may not be easy but as Ron articulated,.. it is well worth it and not in by monetary means
I am an employer with four employees now looking at bringing in a fifth,..There are two lists of what it means to be a boss,..one list is all the bad things about a boss and the second list is all the good things about a boss,..I was taught to stay on the good side of things that it takes to be a boss,..gotta say it’s working pretty well,..
One thing being a boss has taught me is to be humble,..
Ron,
I think you are on to something! Maybe a Country Western song?
“The government got my tax money but Jesus has my heart…”
Something like that… 🙂
I hear you making the point that righteous behavior not only is a witness to those watching but also a means of convicting someone of their wrong behavior.
😆👍🏻