“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’” (Luke 17:7-10 NLT)
Most of us aren't servants, nor do we plow and take care of sheep. But most of us are employees and we do work for someone. Jesus is explaining what we all should understand, but sometimes don't. We should not expect our employers to treat us special or give us special consideration for doing what we are told to do. However, many of us may feel like a servant, especially if we are treated unfairly by our employers. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; [Isaiah 53:9] who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (I Peter 2:18-25)
Jesus left us the perfect example of how to deal with the difficulties we would face when having to deal with others, no matter who they are. Most of us aren't physically beaten for your faults, but we may get fired for doing wrong, and if we take it patiently, we should because we did wrong. But what about when we're falsely accused of wrongdoing, and no matter how we plead our case, we're still disciplined and possibly fired? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. Really? Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” [Proverbs 3:34] Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (I Peter 5:5-7) All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. (Proverbs 16:2-3)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? ... And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? ... Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:32-35)
The moral of the story is, we need to make sure we do what we're supposed to do, in all of our relationships, including at work. For rulers [or employers] are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. (Romans 13:3) After we have checked ourselves and know that we are doing as we should, but we still have difficulties, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,[Deuteronomy 32:35]" says the Lord. “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. [Proverbs 25:21-22]” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14, 17-21)
On our own, this turn the other cheek response would be difficult, if not impossible for us. BUT, if we are saved, we are filled with the Holy Spirit from God, through our faith in Christ Jesus; ...be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25)
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