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1 Peter 2:18-20
18 Servants [oiketes], be subject [hupotasso] to your masters [despotes] with [en] all [pas] fear [phobos]; not [ou] only [monon] to the good [agathos] and [kai] gentle [epieikes], but [alla] also [kai] to the froward [skolios].
19 For [gar] this [touto] is thankworthy [charis], if [ei] a man [tis] for [dia] conscience [suneidesis] toward God [theos] endure [hupophero] grief [lupe], suffering [pascho] wrongfully [adikos].
20 For [gar] what [poios] glory [kleos] is it, if [ei], when [kai] ye be buffeted [kolaphizo] for your faults [hamartano], ye shall take it patiently [hupomeno]? but [alla] if [ei], when ye do well [agathopoieo], and [kai] suffer [pascho] for it, ye take it patiently [hupomeno], this [touto] is acceptable [charis] with [para] God [theos]. KJV-Interlinear
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 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. NASB
We all have a master of some sort. God is our ultimate master, of course, but while on this earth, we all must serve someone in order to function in this life.
Whether we are poor and have to work for another, whether we are rich and discover our obligations to society, we all will sooner or later discover Gods intended place for our lives.
But remember one important thing. In this world, in this physical world, we are all equal in many respects. The most dramatic equality comes after our death when all physical bodies succumb to decay. The rich decay just as the poor, the talented decay just as those of us who are common.
But while alive, we all have been put in a place not because one is better than another, but because God has ordained a system on this earth, where if we follow that system, namely authority and hierarchy, then peace, and prosperity, and the sustaining powers of the world will function properly. When there is peace and relative prosperity, then there is an environment whereby we may all advance in our spiritual lives.
And that is the ultimate goal of life in this world, advancement to spiritual maturity.
So, God has put into place systems by which humanity can function and thrive.
But of course the sin nature comes along and tries to improve on that system. The sin nature comes along and sets up categories, and classes of people, and then prejudice and bias, and unfair practices enter into the picture, and life then becomes difficult, and spiritual growth gets set on the back burner of priorities.
Instead of pursuing our spiritual assets, we begin pursuing our worldly assets. Labor wants authority. Social activities want their entertainment. Family relations fall apart. Male and female roles reverse.
Life is difficult, and people, instead of pursuing doctrine, begin pursuing vindictive lives. And the struggle to get ‘mine’ becomes the priority.
So again, God reminds us through Peter’s words, to be satisfied with the life that God gives us. And not only be satisfied, but pursue our spiritual life, because in spiritual growth there is great reward, not only for life now, but especially in eternity.
Anything you pursue in this world is temporary and will eventually be lost.
Anything you pursue in this world, and anything you pursue through sin, will never be rewarded.
Only Bible doctrine combined with your spiritual growth will be the recipient of reward.
Peter asks this question, ‘What credit is there, when you are treated harshly (or think you are being treated harshly), and then follow that with sin?’
‘None!’
Even in suffering and humble situations, God gives you a chance to win victory, but that requires your total self-control and poise, through doctrine.
So what that someone else has a higher position than you. So what that they are less qualified than you.
But then God placed them there, and you not there. Is God wrong, and you right? Be careful now.
God set up laws of divine establishment. Those laws were designed to provide stability in society. That stability establishes an environment for spiritual growth.
All plans that run against Gods establishment principles, remove the stability of establishment and thus interfere with spiritual growth opportunities. Is that not Satan’s plan? Is this something that you really want to support?
So, no matter what your position is in life, focus on your spiritual growth and not on your ‘embarrassing’ position. Do not compare yourself with others who have more, or with others who have less.
Do not be jealous and do not be envious, and do not be self-righteous. You are no better than they, and they are no better than you. All flesh is worthless dust, and all worthless dust is, well, worthless.
Your purpose here in this life, is not to gain the whole world, but to complete your soul.
Your purpose here in this life, is not to prove yourself better than everyone else, but to prepare yourself for the next life, where God will provide ‘infinitely better’ things for you.
Gain a billion, become a ruler, and be rejected by God and what do you really have? Nothing.
Be yourself, advance in your spiritual life, and allow God to use you as He sees fit in this life, and then receive phenomenal reward in eternity, and then you will have something real, infinite and eternal to celebrate.
