1st Peter 2:18. “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward.” SUBJECTION.
It is not very easy to submit to a man who, though he is my master Sometimes, though he is slow himself, wants me to work much faster. If I am not careful there can arise in me a spirit that grows bitter, Causing me, instead of working, to become a lazy sitter Watching the door till I see him come and then tear into my work, Perhaps forgetting he can tell by output if I am prone to shirk. It is important as a Christian that I work as to the Lord, And when that practice is consistent, there is a double reward. Pay for services rendered is the normal motivation, But working as to 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 the Lord does mark 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.
“I expect Father God, there are a lot of Christians who are made fun of because they are Thy children. In the workplace that may be very hard to take at times. Give to the faithful servants of Thine the courage and grace to do their labor as unto Thee. Give them the joy of knowing they serve Thee even in daily labor. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Behind the Christ-like attitude is the objective that 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 faith of the Christian he knows and will want to find Christ. One who is "thankworthy" is one who is demonstrating grace even when suffering unjustly. Usually one who treats others with disdain and unjust knows they are that kind of person. Sometimes that is because they have an exalted opinion of themselves, and other times it may be, they are testing a believer to see the depth of their faith and commitment to God and righteousness.
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 because they simply do what they are supposed to, there is nothing really special about that. If one shows up late, leaves early or lingers long at a coffee, that is a negative because people expect more of a Christian who is open about his faith than they expect of others. Teasing, personal attacks or being ostracized is to be expected when we identify ourselves with our Lord. God actually looks upon that with favor. Our Lord Jesus Christ conducted His holy life before men without ostentation or bravado. His Father spoke openly and declared His pleasure at the life of His Son. Hopefully He can speak openly in time to come of those of us who live for Him.