1st Peter 2:18-25 SUBMISSION IN SERVICE There was likely the tendency to bitterness on the part of 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 also would naturally have an attitude of latent bitterness toward those who had them under their "beck and call." But God in 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. Now things are different. Attitudes and actions are to be correspondingly different. Because of the blessings divine intervention brought to the life of a slave, it is expected by God that the Christian lives and acts like Christ.
Not all employers are the same. Some are reasonable and kind while the expectations of others are inconsiderate and harsh. The attitude of a child of God is to be such that we 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, is 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" in spite of the consequences that may follow.