Christians are called to be leaders

So, to put this in a practical example, when your boss comes to you in the ninth hour of a project or job and tells you that you are not doing it according to his earlier direction when you are certain that you understood him perfectly and were following his directions to the letter, don’t respond with anger and defensiveness and desperately make attempts to prove yourself right or by “standing up for yourself”.

Responding in a submissive and respectful way looks completely different than our natural reaction. A Biblical response would be, “Sorry, I must have misunderstood. Just so I’m clear, is this the way you want it done?” Ask for clarification and repeat back to him/her what you understand his/her expectations to be and make every effort to not only fulfill them, but do over and above what’s been asked (Prov. 16:14). If you respond with grace and patience, with submissive words and a respectful attitude, you may be the only model of grace and mercy that they ever see. A true expression of the Gospel, and that’s much more important that proving yourself right (Matthew 5:7).

We must also remember this, we will never respect or submit perfectly, it’s not our nature. There is only one who could ever do that and He is our advocate in spite of our failure (1 John 2:1-3 ). Christ was the perfect representation of respect and submission to authority, being obedient even to the point of death on the cross (Phil. 2:8). He was showing us that God’s way is better than our own, and submission to God reveals the Gospel (Matt. 26:39). As a result of Christ’s perfect obedience and submission, we have the gift of eternal life. Through Christ’s sacrifice alone, God pours out His grace, mercy and steadfast love.

So why even make the effort to be obedient to this command? Why would we even put up with an unreasonable boss and unreasonable expectations, to willingly submit to and respect their authority? The major reason is explained above; to honor and worship Christ’s submission to the Father and His sacrifice on our behalf. Another is, this sacrificial love was extended to them as well. The same love He had for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). Remember, we were once sinners in need of a Savior.

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3: 1-7

Only through fixing our hope in Christ are we even able to have any desire to be obedient and respectful to those in authority over us. In doing so, we are able to respond Biblically and with humility, for the rest of the 1 Peter passage states;

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

1 Peter 2: 18-20