Word@Work 1Pet29 - 1 Peter 2:18
Published: Thu, 06/04/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TOUGH WORK
1 Peter 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. (NIV)
Slavery has been abolished in many parts of the world ... officially. But hard and harsh employments persist, sometimes in the most surprising places. The smiling management face may hide a mean heart, or years of traditional worker abuse might have become accepted normality. There is nothing new in this, and although we hope that generous and friendly employers predominate, nevertheless, it is a tough life at work for some. Peter addresses the key question, "What should they do?"
The law may give rights to workers, but the court is not a good place to build relationships for Christ. Running away can relieve an immediate problem, but cannot secure the future. Peter's advice is to learn submission. You can almost hear his readers say, "But I am forced to submit!" However, there is a huge difference between the resentment of unwilling submission, and a deliberate choice to put yourself under another's authority. Take Jesus as an example: He was not forced to the cross. He willingly submitted himself to his Father's will and chose to undergo the suffering, in obedience, out of love and with joy (cf Heb 12:2).
Christian joy is based on the same principle. We belong to God, He has bought us and so He owns us, therefore He is our primary authority. We are called to serve Him, and so in that sense, He is our Boss as well as our Father. We are engaged in His family business and He uses every one of our daily encounters to demonstrate His love, power, mercy and grace - to us and to those around us. The way we react to personal injustice also shows how much we trust the Lord. The 'extra mile' (cf Matt 5:40-42) we travel for our unreasonable manager shows that he/she does not own us - we do it for the Lord. He will reward us. So, every day we are working for God; and our human employment is the opportunity to prove it.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty. Thank You for calling me to work with you in Your family business, to rescue sinners and glorify your Name. When people oppress me, help me to remember how the some of the powerful, rich and religious treated Jesus. May my love for You grow more and more, so that I am willing to submit myself to whatever you command, and to do so without bitterness, resentment or fear. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Slavery has been abolished in many parts of the world ... officially. But hard and harsh employments persist, sometimes in the most surprising places. The smiling management face may hide a mean heart, or years of traditional worker abuse might have become accepted normality. There is nothing new in this, and although we hope that generous and friendly employers predominate, nevertheless, it is a tough life at work for some. Peter addresses the key question, "What should they do?"
The law may give rights to workers, but the court is not a good place to build relationships for Christ. Running away can relieve an immediate problem, but cannot secure the future. Peter's advice is to learn submission. You can almost hear his readers say, "But I am forced to submit!" However, there is a huge difference between the resentment of unwilling submission, and a deliberate choice to put yourself under another's authority. Take Jesus as an example: He was not forced to the cross. He willingly submitted himself to his Father's will and chose to undergo the suffering, in obedience, out of love and with joy (cf Heb 12:2).
Christian joy is based on the same principle. We belong to God, He has bought us and so He owns us, therefore He is our primary authority. We are called to serve Him, and so in that sense, He is our Boss as well as our Father. We are engaged in His family business and He uses every one of our daily encounters to demonstrate His love, power, mercy and grace - to us and to those around us. The way we react to personal injustice also shows how much we trust the Lord. The 'extra mile' (cf Matt 5:40-42) we travel for our unreasonable manager shows that he/she does not own us - we do it for the Lord. He will reward us. So, every day we are working for God; and our human employment is the opportunity to prove it.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty. Thank You for calling me to work with you in Your family business, to rescue sinners and glorify your Name. When people oppress me, help me to remember how the some of the powerful, rich and religious treated Jesus. May my love for You grow more and more, so that I am willing to submit myself to whatever you command, and to do so without bitterness, resentment or fear. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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