In yesterday's study Peter talked about obedience to the government. Today he talks about being obedient to employers. In his day a person's employer was often his master, for in the Roman Empire slavery was widespread. (We have to remember that Peter isn't condoning slavery; it was simply a fact of life in those times.) Rome allowed slaves to own their own property and to make their own money when they weren't busy performing work for their masters. This is how many slaves were able to buy their freedom. (For an example, see Acts 22:28.) Some masters were good and honorable men, but some were hateful and cruel. This is why Peter's advice today is so relevant to us in our own times. Some employers are good and honorable and they treat their employees fairly, while others are difficult to please and unreasonable. Peter tells us to use the Lord as an example of how to behave even when we are treated unfairly and with disrespect.
"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." (1 Peter 2:18) Going to work each day can be a pleasure when we like our employers. But what about when we don't like them? Peter says to respect the position they hold over us anyway, even if there is nothing in the character of our employer to respect.
Some scholars speculate that perhaps the Romans discriminated against slaves in their employ who had converted to Christianity. I think this is quite likely. You and I may be discriminated against at some point in our careers for being Christians. Peter tells his readers to behave in a way that honors the Lord even if they are being treated unfairly or persecuted, "For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God." (1 Peter 2:19-20) We have to keep in mind that Peter is not saying it's alright for anyone to beat their slaves. Such things did go on in some households, and both Peter and his readers are aware of it.
I don't think most of us are in danger of being physically assaulted by our employers, but we might find ourselves the victims of discrimination for our faith. Or we might have an employer who is just a mean and nasty person who isn't ever going to be pleased with us. We might have to endure the situation for a while, either because we can't find another job or because it's the Lord's will for us to be in that particular job at this time. Slaves in Peter's day didn't have any choice but to put up with whatever treatment their masters wanted to dish out. We are free people and we don't have to allow anyone to physically abuse us, but we may have no choice but to put up with a boss who is very stressful to work for. Peter says to bear up under such things through a consciousness of God. If we conduct ourselves as the children of God, who knows what effect this might have on our employers and our co-workers? Maybe they will come to the faith through our example.
In case we need some encouragement to keep on keeping on, Peter has it for us. He reminds us that the Lord Jesus never did anything wrong, and yet He was falsely accused and persecuted. "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.' When they hurled insults at Him, He made no threats. Instead, He trusted Himself to Him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:21-23)
His quote is from Isaiah 53, the chapter that describes the suffering of the Messiah in detail. Jesus bore up under the strain knowing that God would vindicate Him. When we are in a difficult job situation and there is presently no way out of it, we are free to do as Christ did and entrust the situation to the Lord. The Lord sees any discrimination or unfairness that is brought against us, and He will not let it go unpunished forever. I'm reminded of another passage from the book of Isaiah, "'No weapon that is formed against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,' says the Lord.'" (Isaiah 54;17) The Lord vindicated Christ by raising Him from the dead, proving to the world that He was the sinless Son of God. The Lord will also vindicate us against anyone who has falsely accused us or treated us unfairly. One way He does this is by giving us the strength to keep on behaving honorably when those around us are behaving dishonorably. Christ faced things you and I will never have to face, and yet He kept on behaving honorably. He is able to help us to maintain our dignity when those around us have lost theirs.
"'He Himself bore our sins' in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 'by His wounds you have been healed.' For 'you were like sheep going astray,' but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:24-25) The suffering of Jesus had a purpose: the healing and redemption of our souls. Doesn't our own suffering have a purpose? Peter is telling us that it does. If God has placed us in a difficult work situation for a period of time, it is because He intends to accomplish something for us and perhaps also for those we work with. What can we learn from our difficult situation? How can we grow closer to God through it? How can we grow in our faith because of it? How can we influence others through it?
I've been at my current job for twenty-one years. There are some very distinct advantages in remaining there. I have four weeks of paid vacation, free health insurance, every Wednesday afternoon off, most holidays off, a five-minute commute, and several other perks. At the same time, if you looked up "burned out" in the dictionary you'd probably find my picture there. I'm at a point in life where I'm praying for the Lord to show me whether He intends for me to keep on doing what I'm doing or whether He intends for me to do something else for the nineteen years I have to work before I can even consider retirement. On the one hand the thought of putting in nineteen more years in my current career makes me feel dead inside, as the saying goes. On the other hand I don't want to make a mistake and get out of the Lord's will. So unless and until He tells me to move, I'm staying put and praying for guidance. If it's His will for me to stay where I am, He is more than able to give me a fresh outlook and renewed energy. If it's His will for me to do something else, I'm waiting for Him to tell me what that "something else is". In the meantime I am going to try to exhibit a better attitude and not be so stressed and depressed. A bad attitude isn't going to accomplish anything, so today's passage has been a timely reminder for me to behave more like Christ.
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