Submission: In the Work Place

I have been studying submission lately with Elizabeth George's Bible Study.  This is a subject that I have struggled with all my life and will continue to struggle with, I'm sure.  I know it boils down to pride, but I am just not a fan of authority and, especially  when that authority is doing it wrong.  Many time, in our work place, we see this happen.  Why do we see it so much?  Probably because people are human and humans make mistakes.


Back during Paul's day, a person's status were much more pronounced.   You were either a slave or the boss.  Today, we call them, employers and employees.  Now, in our culture, we can often quit one job and pick another one.  In the culture of that day, many of them did not have that choice.

So, you ask, does this passage apply to me?   I would say YES.  Paul writes in I Peter 2:18-20...

"Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God"

What are we to do?

1. Servants - that's us
2. Be subject - "one that is placed under authority"  Put yourself lower.  Do the harder job, take the brunt of the work, put your boss first.
3. With all fear - Fear of God. This is where you respect and honor your boss BECAUSE of the reverence you have for your God
4. TO WHO?
1. God and Gentle: Those bosses who are amazing and love you and want the best for you and your family
2. Froward: Those who disobey and oppose God.  Those who do not care for you at all because they have no fear of God.

WHY???  Why would we do this?

1. It shows that we trust God " For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure"
2. "Because it is acceptable to God."

One of the hardest things for a type A personality are these words: We are called to a life of submission to authority.  The good news: we can give it to God and learn to submit through our fear and reverence to Him.  It will make our life be the way God wills for us.

The RIGHT...

1. Right way -> To submit
2. Right motive -> Praise from God
3. Right attitude -> Respect
4. Right reason for suffering -> Doing Good
5. Right manner for enduring -> Patiently

The Wrong

1. Rebellion
2. Hostility
3. Discontent
4. Undermining
5. Revenge
6. Anger
7. Ambition
8. Pride
9. Shirking
10. Bad attitude
11. Disdain
12. Gossip
13. Lip service

Now, I know from experience, and from those I love who have had forward bosses, it's HARD to work in that environment.  However I want to encourage each of you, that you are NOT working for them. You are working for God though they are the humans that you need to submit to.  Later on in the chapter, it talks about wives bringing their husbands to the Lord, through their attitudes. You never know the difference in eternity that it might make, because of your attitude in your work place.  Friends, it's not always easy BUT God commands it and, if He is for us, who can be against us.

Submission, because God is in control - Rejoicing in the present