SUBMIT YOURSELF FOR THE LORDS SAKE PART TWO
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1 Peter 2:18-25
Submission is an honorable
conduct; which is the preeminent
mark of: Christian grace and goodness. This applies to how we are to respond to every human institution. We were created for submission whether you like it or not….. To….Parents, teachers or school principle, Law Enforcement, Construction zones, Highway road signs, church elders, employers, and your local, provincial and federal magistrates. God never created us to be nation unto ourselves, but of one another, so that we could demonstrate what “honorable conduct “look likes. Peter said we are to do this for “the Lord’s sake” we submit because we want to honor God. And we do not want to bring criticism or reproach to His glorious name.
The culture screams….
Reproductive
rights.
Immigration
rights.
Homosexual
& alphabet group rights.
Personal
freedom & political rebellion rights.
Workplace rights for equality.
It’s all about equality and reason many protest believe that everyone is equal in every way, and entitled to exactly the same things as everyone else. We are seeing this more, and more, today in
the workplace or the lack there of. Employees voice their grievances over a lack of rights…. through walk outs, protests, all out strikes and now where seeing it on video. There is one video I came across a few weeks back; of a person complaining having to work 8hrs at a Starbucks, on a Saturday. Literally crying, that it wasn’t fair and I don’t deserve this. But this is the problem with our narcissistic worldview of today’s generation.
We don’t understand our
position when
it comes being an employee or a good servant.
Peter applies proper principles here to specific life situation by addressing the Christian slave; and the importance of submission. (v18) Why would Peter address this? Some new converts thought their spiritual freedom also thought this guaranteed their personal and political freedom. This was evident in Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, as he reminded Onesimus to return to his master. But before we dive into this passage we need to be very clear here…..the institution of slavery is unacceptable to us, as well as it should be. And this is the hang up for many individuals who read the Scripture. People are overwhelmed to find so many passages in Scripture dealing with slavery, particularly in the New Testament.
The late theologian John Murray said, “The New Testament thereby
does not endorse slavery, and yet at the same time did not forbid it.”
Slavery is something that has been around for centuries! It goes as far back when Joseph was sold by his brothers to the slave market.
During the Greco-Roman era slavery was part of the social structure.
In other words,
“It was so common it was never questioned
by anyone.”
Slavery was a part of all ages, gender and ethnical background. One fifth of the empire’s populations were slaves, totaling as many as 12 million slaves at the outset of the first century AD. Aristotle said “Slaves as things, or living tools.” But! The bible in no way condones this way of negative behavior! Sin and man have distorted this way of living! Throughout the Old Testament we see that slaves were taken care of by their master. A slave never had to fear about his or hers next meal, what to wear, or having a roof over their head. Though they might face challenging times of abuse; it’s nothing in comparison to wickedness of men after the 1st and 2nd centuries. One of the biggest influences to see the elimination of the mistreatment of slavery was William Wilberforce. The Slave Trade Act was passed by the British Parliament on 25 March 1807, making the slave trade illegal throughout the British Empire, Wilberforce also campaigned for abolition of slavery in the British Empire, which he lived to see in the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. After the 1807 act abolishing the slave trade was passed, these campaigners switched to encouraging other countries to follow suit, notably France and the British colonies. Between 1808 and 1860, the British West Africa Squadron seized approximately 1,600 slave ships and freed 150,000 Africans who were aboard.
The
New Testament writers used this word to show how we are to behave in this
present society as slaves of Christ! Why? A slave is someone is who is
visibly different; because they belonged to someone. Meaning! They were
somebody’s property.
Why? Because we are slaves, but in a good way! And we can learn a great deal in how to be good slaves from this portion of Peter’s letter. Let’s look at the basic principle here about being a slave for the Lord’s sake. We have a have a freedom in Christ yet we have been set free to new kind of bondage. Not a sinful bondage, but as bondservants of God. (v18) “Servants” We are called in this new freedom to serve our master despite if they are
A
good master
A
harsh master
Unjust
and unfair master
A
cruel master.
We are called to be submissive to our master, but also… to the unjust, unfair, and the cruel master, as well. Peter says “unjust” this literally rendered those who are “crooked, a cheat, they cook the books.” Even if they are crooked, and a cheat, we are to do our best unto the Lord. Remember, the Scriptures reveal that Joseph did good all the days of his life, and not only that we are told God was with him. “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.” Gen 39:2-3
Why do we do this? (v19) The promise is that God’s presence is with us, even in the midst of suffering as Peter says in (v19-v20). “Gracious thing” this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. We do this because we are trying to honor the Lordship of God; such submission, even in times of harshness and cruelty is commendable. Not only is this a demonstration of grace but it’s your “calling” meaning this is your vocation in life. (v21) It’s a gracious thing to be known for demonstrating Christ in every avenue of life; than to be known like the rest of this world.
When God calls us to a task
it’s
our duty to obey for His
glory.
Do you realize it’s commendable to suffer unjustly and bear the pain in patience? Because God has called us to it. Take Job for example of suffering, even though he did nothing wrong. When Job’s great suffering came upon him, he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21. Even in times of intense pain Job’s wife said, “Curse God and die.” Job 2:9. But what was job’s response to his wife? “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:10. Throughout all his suffering he demonstrated what honorable conduct looks like by saying, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him;” Job 13:15. The believer’s vocation is a call to suffer; this is the complete opposite of today’s modern day health/wealth charlatan preacher.
Suffering
should be expected. Matthew 5:10-12
Suffering
is evidence of spiritual maturity. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6
Suffering
must be endured for doing right. 1 Peter 3:13-17
Suffering
is part of God’s plan. Romans 8:28
Suffering
outweighs our future glory and rewards. Romans 8:17-18
Peter reminds us again in the next chapter. “But rejoice insofar as you
share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory
is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed,
because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you
suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone
suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that
name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it
begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel
of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the
ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to God's
will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter
4:13-19
In other words according to Peter, your goodness is displaying true graciousness to the world. This is a result of gospel! Peter uses the backdrop of the greatest act of suffering and demonstration of gospel witness. (v21b-v25) In Peter’s words “The King of glory enters into a state of suffering.” Peter quotes from Isaiah 53 where it speaks of God’s perfect plan of redemption found in His Son, hanging between two thieves. Why are we called to suffer? The answer is simply found in (v21) When Peter was sentenced to die by crucifixion; he submitted to that decree, with one last plea before the magistrates. That plea was to be crucified upside down because he did not think he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Savior. This mode of his death/suffering was foretold by Jesus, Himself. “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." John 21:18-19
Think about this question and the answer Peter gives… Why are we called to suffer? Peter was man who watched and betrayed his Lord in the Courtyard when confronted by the world. Peter was a man who stood in the shadows as they paraded Jesus to Calvary’s hill. Peter was a man who stood from a distance as Jesus gave up His last breath. This man named Peter, would later on write this letter, because he finally understood what a terrible thing he did out of fear of suffering. He finally understood now, that he was able to say, “We are called to suffer because Jesus suffered for us. This calling includes suffering if we have been slandered or mistreated. (v23) It was impossible for Jesus to return evil for evil. His style was to return good for evil.
He calls us to do the same, yes, the SAME! When Jesus suffered, He did not threaten, instead he did what? “but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.” (v23b) We might wrestle with world here, but we are to rest in God as good servants always. Why? Vengeance is the Lord’s doing, not mine whether I am falsely accuses of slandered by those around me. There is no greater vindication than to be vindicated by God. Jesus is the example, not me or the one sitting beside you. It’s Christ as our example.
He is the model, the example
who committed
Himself to the Father.
This our calling; to take up our cross because “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (v24) The cross-centered life is this….. Jesus said, “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matt 10:38-39. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23. Peter is using Christ as THE plumb line as Paul said “Do it heartily unto the Lord” Col 3:23. Heartily means putting your entire inner man into the effort! Giving your 110 percent! Not by mere force, necessity, or grudgingly, and with murmurings. But from a true, real, and hearty affection for our earthly master; but ultimately for Heavenly Master. See! The Word of God is very clear about how we are to live as servants to our Master.
2 Cor 5:9 says,
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.”
Rom 14:8 says,
“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So
then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.”
1 Thess 2:4 states,
“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so
we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”
He has entrusted us with this responsibility and we are to do all things whole heartily for the Lord’s sake and for our sake. “Obey you earthly masters” is indicating and uninterrupted obedience. We are not to just obey when we feel like it or when our master/employer is being reasonable. It’s out of obedience towards the One we love through the gospel; even if they are unreasonable. Our new lives in Christ are to be exemplified witnesses of the glory of God through Christ and His Gospel. By our submission, and service, this demonstrates the unshakable faith we have despite our present circumstances.
Is it nice to be treated
unfairly, or treated
as if you have no value?
Absolutely not! But in the midst of this, our strength comes not from our earthly master, but our Lord, who is Master of our lives. Our responsibility is to serve Christ in whatever we do and to do it for His glory. Our duty at work, at play, and in private, should be for this reason as a bondservant of Christ because He is looking intently. (v25)
Serve your master as
if you are serving Christ.
Application for you! Serving your employer with a transformed heart of adoration to Christ and His glory is a gospel witness to His saving grace. It’s always an honorable conduct, even if they are good, gentle or unjust. Everything we do is for his purpose and for his glory whether you’re a slave or a master. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” Col 3:23. And as Peter says at the end of this chapter we rest in the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. (v25). As David wrote, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1. The Good Shepherd is the One who is constantly watching out for the well-being of His sheep. What we learn about honorable conduct is that…
We
can be exalted with Christ. (v20-v23)
We
can live in righteousness. (v24)
Our
wounds can be healed. (v24)
In
Him we can entrust ourselves to one who judges justly. (v25)
And it’s in Him we have the strength we need to walk in this world, for God will be the Guardian and Shepherd of our souls.
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