SUBMISSION IN SERVICE. 1st Peter 2:18 There was likely a tendency toward bitterness among household slaves who had been captured by a conquering army and brought against their will to serve without pay. Those whose debts had brought them to the position of indentured servants would also naturally have an attitude of latent bitterness toward those who had them under their "beck and call." But God, in His grace, had allowed them to hear the Gospel, and He had saved them by His grace. Masters and slaves both come to Christ in the same way.
It was not too difficult to serve masters who were kind and considerate, but Peter understood the times and the social structure of the Roman Empire. Kindness and consideration would not have been too common among the leaders and upper-class Romans. In this letter, he encourages Christians to persevere through hard times and to be loyal to those for whom they labored, even if those leaders were harsh in their demands.
Now, things are different in most places as far as society is concerned, but the principles are the same; employees are to submit to those who employ them or to those in higher positions over them. Believers’ attitudes and actions are to be different from those of the antagonistic and argumentative. Because of the blessings divine intervention brings to a believer’s life, God expects Christian lives and actions to reflect Christ. Workers are to take their responsibilities seriously, even when serving difficult or unfair bosses. It is not too difficult to serve those who are kind and gentle.
The teaching for us is that a Christian’s attitude of respect, honor, integrity, and grace, even when wronged, is Christ-like. When He was wronged, He didn’t retaliate or threaten those who persecuted Him. Christians are to obey those they work for with “all fear”; to show respect for their authority and to respond appropriately to their demands, even when it is hard to do so. Not all employers are the same. Some are reasonable and kind, while others have inconsiderate and harsh expectations. The attitude of a child of God is to show respect to those who are over us, no matter what they are like. The conditions in which one works or the kind of person for whom we work are not the basis of our attitude. We are to be submissive for the Lord's sake unless we are asked to sin. Then we must say "No" despite the consequences that may follow.
Obedience to an employer’s authority should be consistent, even though there are many different temperaments among those who are over us in the workplace. Without submission, there will be no positive opportunity to testify to our faith in Christ, and likely no job. A person who does what they do as unto the Lord and doesn’t respond to criticism and unfair pressures negatively can have a good, positive Christian testimony to the Gospel and the saving grace of God.