What to do when life isn’t fair

Reading - 1 Timothy 6:1-5; Colossians 3:22-4:1; Isaiah 50:4-9;
Peter’s theme in this portion is submission. Turning from submission to civil authorities, he now focuses on the submission of slaves to their earthly masters.
If you are a parent of children old enough to talk, you have heard them complain, “But that isn’t fair!” And you respond, “Life isn’t fair!”
We are born with a strong inner sense of fairness and a strong desire to fight for our rights when we have been treated unfairly.
Although we know that life isn’t fair, we don’t like being victims of unfairness.
The important question is, “How do you respond when you’re treated unfairly?” Is it wrong to defend yourself or to stand up for your rights? That is the question.
[1] WHAT IS THE CONTEXT OF THIS TEACHING– 1 Peter 2:18 Servants,
There is more written in the N T to slaves than to any other class. The reason there were so many slaves in the early church, is that there were some sixty million, in the Roman Empire at the time Peter wrote this.
They had come from all parts of the world as a result of Rome's conquests. They came from all classes, many had been governmental figures, doctors, lawyers, and teachers and they were pressed into service for Roman citizens. In fact, all the work of Rome was done by slaves.
The Romans were masters of the world. Why should they work when they had this labour force at their command, and at such little cost?
In the early days of the Empire, slaves had no rights at all. Aristotle said, “ a slave is simply a living tool.” They were treated like animals, even branded. They had no legal rights. They could only cohabit. Their children belonged to their master. Their masters had the right of life and death over them.
However by 1A.D. the slave had most of the legal rights which were granted to the free man. Many had money at their disposal and had rights to wife and family.
Many slaves were loved and trusted members of the family. There is evidence to suggest that the slaves usually lived on the top floor of their owner’s house. The slave was not inferior to the free man of similar skills in regard to food and clothing. Statistics show that the average free man lived no better than the slave. In fact, in time of economic hardship it was the slave and not the free man who was guaranteed the necessities of life for himself and his family."
Into this stratum of society the gospel came, and the question was raised at the very outset, "How should we, as slaves, now respond to our masters? Should we throw off the yoke of slavery? This was especially poignant in the case of a slave whose master was harsh and unreasonable. In most cases, freedom was not an option and escape was difficult. Peter, Paul, and others wrote to answer this question.
[2] WHO DOES THIS MESSAGE APPLY TO 1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, At first glance Peter’s words, addressed to slaves may make us feel these words no longer apply to us since slaves and masters no longer exist today. The term Peter uses in our text refers to a broader group than just slaves. The word he uses here is a domestic, a house-slave.
However it is applicable to working and other Christians today, for Peter gives a general principle which applies to all believers. Though we may not be slaves, we may be subject to those with authority and thus face a condition similar to that of a slave. For instance, a low ranked soldier in the armed forces.
Also Our Lord and His apostles consistently taught that every Christian is Christ’s slave. Mark 10:44 “And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all”.
A] In the NT, slavery is not commended, but neither is it condemned as a social evil the Christian master should cease to practice or the Christian slave should seek to overthrow. Christian masters are instructed not to abuse their power over their slaves Col 4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Col 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord., and they are especially not to abuse their status as Christians in relation to their believing masters 1 Timothy 6: 1 ¶ All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered 2 Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them.
Human government and slavery may both be viewed as “institutions” within society, but of the two, government alone has been divinely instituted for the purpose of executing God’s rule over men. Slavery is not given such a status. Societies function very well without slaves; but they collapse without established governing authority.
B] Christian slaves would especially be targeted for persecution by their unbelieving masters. There are heathen masters like Potiphar, who prospered greatly from the service of Joseph and therefore was delighted to have him as a slave. But it was also Joseph’s righteousness which eventually led to his unjust imprisonment by Potiphar. As Peter says in chap 4, the righteousness of the Christian is threatening to the lifestyle of heathen unbelievers.
The non-Christian master also could very well feel threatened, by the conversion of one of his slaves to faith in Christ, because the church where the slave attended would make the slave an equal with his master. The result was that within the Church the social barriers were broken down. It was quite possible that the slave should be a leader of the congregation and the master a member of it.
Callistus, one of the earliest bishops of Rome, was a slave; and Perpetua, the aristocrat, and Felicitas, the slave-girl, met martyrdom hand in hand.
As a result of his new identity in Christ, the Christian slave would now have moral scruples, and his obedience to his earthly master would always be subordinate to his obedience to Christ. The master no longer had first loyalty. He no longer had the same power to intimidate, because the believing slave’s hope was on heaven.
Slavery indeed provided the opportunity for abuse, but in the sovereign plan and purpose of God that abuse gave the opportunity to shine. If Christian slaves were defiant, critics could have accused Christianity of stirring up rebellion and undermining the whole fabric of the society.
In a similar way, our unjust suffering can reveal the character of Christ in us as we suffer. The attitude of fighting for our rights communicates to the world that we’re living for the things of this world. Submitting to unfair treatment and giving up our rights communicates the truth that we’re on our way to heaven.
Our society is preoccupied with demanding its rights. It campaigns for the rights of students, women, children, homosexuals, illegal immigrants, criminals, employees, and the homeless. When people believe their rights have been denied, they often react with strikes, protests and walk outs.
If believers yield rights in a Christian manner, people will notice and maybe get an opportunity to explain what it means to live under God’s authority, with a view to pleasing Him. Whether in the light of this Christians can belong to trade unions, is a matter of conscience.
[3] WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIANS –1 Peter 2: 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
The fact of the matter is that all humanity suffers at some time and Christians have special sufferings at times.
A] Sometimes we suffer for no apparent reason.
By that I mean that sometimes things happen to us that aren’t connected to anything we do or don’t do. Because we live in a fallen world, bad things sometimes happen to people who don’t seem to deserve it. We don’t understand and we can’t explain why things work out the way they do. One of my sisters has never had good health the other four of us have.
B] Sometimes we suffer because of mistakes we have made. Peter would say it this way: If you break the law and find yourself in jail, don’t complain. You did the crime; now do the time. Bad decisions can be very costly and often irreversible. It may have been a relationship, a job or lack of concentration on the road that has left permanent scars.
C] Sometimes we suffer unjustly at the hands of others. That’s what Peter has in mind in here. We may do right and live by the rules but get in trouble anyway. Or we may work hard and be passed over for promotion. Peter knew from experience that sometimes Christians suffer even when they have done nothing wrong. David was an example under Saul of how we are to submit to injustice. As believers we are to follow David's example of respecting those in authority.
[4] THE CHRISTIANS RESPONSE TO UNFAIR TREATMENT – 1 Peter 2: 19 be subject, For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
A] Suffer! Be subject not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. God has ordained various spheres of authority. Rulers in government, men in the family, elders in the church, and employers in the work place. Peter says we are to submit to those who are harsh, not just to those who are kind to us. The word harsh translates a Greek word from which we get the English word scoliosis, curvature of the spine. Some people are so morally twisted that they intentionally hurt everyone around them. Even in those cases, we are to submit. That’s not the answer we would want to hear. He makes it clear that submission is not only required under favourable conditions but in painful and unpleasant circumstances as well. Christian servants are not only to submit to “good and gentle” masters but to those who are “unreasonable.” Tit 2:9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them.
Unreasonable masters may, like Laban, make promises they do not keep Genesis 31:36-42. They may be unfair in their accusations, punishments, or rewards. They are those against whom we would naturally rebel apart from the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
B] Suffer graciously! this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows How can anyone submit to unfair treatment graciously?
We endure unjust suffering for one reason only—because we are conscious or mindful of God. I am where I am right now by God’s appointment. When God wants me somewhere else, I’ll be somewhere else.
Because God is good, it must be for my good to be where I am right now. The fact that I can’t see any good in my present situation doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I don’t have to understand the big picture in order to believe there is a big picture. God’s promises cover the details of my life even when the details seem random and out of control. God sometimes allows things to happen to me that seem unfair and I won’t understand those things while I am going through them. I can endure because I believe God is right there with me every moment of every day.
H Hendricks tells the story of being on an airliner that was delayed. Passengers grew increasingly impatient. One obnoxious man kept venting his frustrations on the air hostess. But she responded graciously and courteously in spite of his abuse. After they finally got airborne and Hendricks called the woman over and said, “I want to get your name so that I can write a letter of commendation to your employer.” He was surprised when she responded, “Thank you, sir, but I don’t work for Airlines.” “I work for my Lord Jesus Christ.” She went on to explain that before each flight, she and her husband would pray together that she would be a good witness.
Do you believe God has you where you are for a purpose? If you answer yes, then you will endure suffering even though it is painful. When we forget God: We give in to despair or act hastily or retaliate. Paul remembered - 2Tim.1:12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. His whole interests, his life, body, soul and spirit. He leaves all in God’s hands with perfect confidence.
When we endure patiently We demonstrate the power of Christ and prove our confidence in God’s justice. We are not sullen when we are mistreated, because we are conscious of God.
[5] WHO IS THE MODEL FOR CHRISTIANS IN – 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
The second focus’s on the OT prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus as the Suffering Servant provides the motivation and the model for all suffering servants. The Suffering Servant is the example for Suffering Servants.
The word example is a school word, referring to how teachers lightly traced letters for students to copy. Christ is that kind of example for us. If we follow how He lived, we will form our lives correctly. Following “in His steps” means if we suffer as we follow Him and respond as He did, people will see Him in us.
Peter had walked with the Lord for three and a half years. He had seen him in every conceivable circumstance -- in the morning when he was tired from inadequate sleep, in the evening when he was weary from a hard day. He had seen him under pressure, under attack, and when people were indifferent to him. Yet he never heard from the Lord one word of complaint. He never did any of the things we would expect from a person who was unjustly treated.
A] Christ’s suffering was a pattern for us. We must suffer because we are called to suffer. This should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the Scriptures, especially the teaching of our Lord and of the apostles: Acts 14:21-22 “Through many troubles we must enter the kingdom of God”. Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. How should we suffer?
B] Christ’s suffering was innocent, due to His righteousness. Peter uses the words of Isaiah 53:9 to express the fact that He “committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth”. Jesus did not sin in deed or in word, either before His crucifixion or during His suffering. What wrongs would be especially tempting for a servant? The first would be disobedience; another would be disrespect, and yet another laziness. How many people justify taking things because they believe they are not being paid well enough? Christian workers should not suffer because they are late or don’t pull their weight.
C] Christ’s suffering was silent, uncomplaining. When we can do nothing else, we can shout, threaten, and even curse. Jesus remained silent. He made no effort to resist or to retaliate. The silence of our Lord is evident in the words Peter used, and the Isaiah text has even more to say on that silence: Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. He didn’t bend the facts. He was always truthful. He didn’t trade insults. He uttered no threats.
D] Christ’s suffering was a choice and not a tragic fate. Jesus frequently spoke of His suffering and death in advance of the events of Calvary. He chose to take up His cross, and so must we. A Christian boy who had an unbelieving father, asked if he could attend the mid week meeting one evening and the father reluctantly gave permission. As the boy walked home afterwards, a friend saw him and offered him a lift in his car. The father saw his son get out of the friend’s car and accused him of lying and beat him in spite of the boy’s protests of innocence. The boy quietly endured the beating and didn’t grow bitter. A few days later the father was shopping and met the pastor who knowing nothing said, “You sure have a fine son. Last week in prayer meeting, he gave a good word of testimony.” The father said, I thought he went out with his friends, his sons submission shamed him and he soon came to repentance.
E] Christ’s suffering was in faith He “kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously”. Our Lord therefore left judgment to God. He did not need to retaliate against His enemies. Jesus knew that He would be vindicated by being raised from the dead and enthroned at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He knew that His persecutors would be judged and dealt with according to their sins. God is the righteous Judge who will someday right every wrong and bring vengeance on those who resist His authority.
There is a proper place for respectful communication questioning those who mistreated us, through proper channels. Christians don’t always have to endure mistreatment in silence. Jesus in John 8 defended Himself as being sent from the Father. Paul defended his character and ministry. There is a time for moving from a bad employer. But if you move too quickly, you may miss what God is seeking to do in the difficult situation. He may want to teach you some hard lessons of being like Christ. He may want to bear witness