COMMENDABLE. 1st Peter 2:19-20 It is not easy to submit to a man who, though he is my master and though he is slow himself, wants me to work much faster. If I am not careful, a spirit can arise in me that grows bitter, causing me, instead of working, to become lazy, watching the door until I see him come and then tear into my work, perhaps forgetting that he can tell by output whether I am prone to shirk.
It is important, as a Christian, that I work for the Lord. When that practice is consistent, there is a double reward. Pay for services rendered is the normal motivation, but working as unto the Lord is an act of consecration. If the man for whom I work is a fair man, that to me is good. It is much easier for me to commit to doing all I should. If he is hard to please and seems to make me a target, I have the motivation to know that the Lord marks it and lets me know when I do my work as unto the Lord Himself. He will recompense in His own way and time in ways I cannot tell.
Patiently enduring grief and suffering pleases God because it demonstrates His undeserved grace at work in our lives. Submission to legitimate authority testifies that we are aware of God at work in our lives and that we want others to experience the same blessings we have received from Him.
The principle at work here applies to any situation where unjust suffering occurs. God’s grace provides the strength and motivation to persevere when we are conscious of His presence. There is no credit for suffering when one does wrong or knows what is right but doesn’t do it. It is the undeserved suffering that finds favor with God. Knowing that God is with us when a harsh boss treats us badly is the key to controlling the situation.
Behind the Christ-like attitude is the objective that, by the good example of a child of God, there may come a day when the person who was unfair and inconsiderate will see the reality of the Christian's faith and will want to find Christ. One who is "thankworthy" is one who demonstrates grace even when suffering unjustly. Usually, one who treats others with disdain and injustice knows they are that kind of person. Sometimes that is because they have an exalted opinion of themselves, and other times it may be that they are testing a believer to see the depth of their faith and commitment to God and righteousness.
When in the spirit of meekness and power under control, we take what is unjust without reviling, threatening, or self-pity, we will escape the trap that may have been laid for us or that we inadvertently created for ourselves. Mental stress and anguish go along with unreasonable demands, but “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.” This supernatural response is when God can say, “Well done!”
Self-examination is in order when suffering occurs. Take time to consider whether our words, attitudes, expressions, body language, or actions are causing criticism and suffering. Any of these will hinder our Christian testimony and leave others with doubts about the reality of our Christianity. A rebuke is deserved when one is habitually late, resists correction and advice, and is careless and lazy about their work.
When abuse comes because of our fault or failure, that is to be expected. If an employee expects favors because they profess to be a Christian, or simply because they do what they are supposed to, there is nothing particularly special about that. If one shows up late, leaves early, or lingers too long at a coffee shop, that is a negative because people expect more of a Christian who is open about his faith than of others. Teasing, personal attacks, or ostracism are to be expected when we identify ourselves with our Lord.
What truly matters when a person suffers patiently is that others may be startled and shocked into considering what makes a Christian different from them. It may lead someone to be convicted of their sins and to seek salvation. God looks on that with favor. Our Lord Jesus Christ lived His holy life before men without ostentation or bravado. His Father spoke openly, declaring His pleasure in the life of His Son. Hopefully, He can speak openly in time to come to those of us who live for Him.
I find myself prone to say “It is not fair,” when what I wanted or planned didn’t come my way. I think, for some reason, it should have happened to others, but finally, I stop complaining and begin to think it over, reminding myself, as grace steps in to humble me, that Christ suffered wrongfully when He died on Calvary. But looking beyond the wrong, He saw the blessing – not only for men like me, but for Divine Holiness. In a legal sense, all charges laid upon the lost were paid, and suffering wrongfully, He paid the total cost – so that redemption, in its greatest sense, could make full recompense for the sins of others and bring many sons to glory through that which was unfair, when He suffered wrongfully bearing my sins.
Now, free from sin’s penalty and guilt, I receive blessings because His blood was spilled. So now, in a much lesser way, there are times I suffer, it may be wrongfully, but my first reaction is to cover it, looking farther ahead in faith, knowing that my Lord can bring from wrongful suffering some blessed reward that I can pass on to Him as a token of appreciation and gratitude I have because He paid for my salvation. When I tell others stories or incidents of God’s grace, wrongful suffering then seems trivial. It’s completely out of place to complain about a little opposition and persecution when we consider what our Lord Jesus Christ went through to bring us to God.