1 Peter 3:8-12: Submissive… even the word itself has a bad connotation in a society who hates to be second. To choose to be second or to be second in command goes against our cultural thoughts. In God’s culture though it is just His way of helping us keep order. Jesus submitted to God, the husband submits to Jesus, the wife submits to the husband, the church submits to its pastor and the pastor submits to God. The order is not about who is the smartest or who has greater value. It has everything to do with choosing to submit to the one that is leadership. In the end, the leader answers to God. We are to submit to leaders and bosses even when they are not “fair”. Again, it is not about value or who you like or dislike. It is about choosing to have order in that part of your world. When Peter write in chapter 3 he is talking to those who are in a rank and order society.
8″Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
When we choose to submit to those who do not treat us with respect we leave the results to God. We can still have a tender heart, humble mind and unified spirit in keeping Christ first and let the revenge or “pay back” for injustice come from Him. We can only keep ourselves right before Him and the payment for that is blessings, He hears our prayers and His favor is on us. Don’t let the culture we live in dictate your heart attitude. Choose wisely to follow your leader.