Submitting to your Boss

I believe ‘submission’, is one of the most important Revelations for an employee. The bible says: Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle but also to the harsh. (1 Timothy 2:18) Now the words used here are in accordance to the customs of those days. Today, not all of us are servants and have masters rather we are employees and have bosses. However, the truth to be practiced is still the same. We must submit to those in authority over us with respect. In simple words you must accept your boss's authority over you in the workplace. You must do what he says as unto the Lord. The bible teaches that we should work for our bosses as though we were working for Lord Jesus Christ himself. (Ephesians 6:5-8)

The character and nature of your boss does not really matter. It does not matter if your boss is good or harsh. You respect and honor your boss not because he is a ‘good person’ but because he is your ‘boss’. In the bible we read about how the Apostle Paul was captured by the religious leaders of the day and brought before the High Priest on trial. While Paul was defending himself the high priest asked one of the men to strike him. Paul responded by saying: God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law? (Acts 23:3) Paul was innocent and he was brought there unjustly. So when he was struck he reviled. I believe not many like Paul have the courage to angrily insult those in authority to their face. But we do angrily insult our bosses behind their backs, right?

But what happened in the following verses is a remarkable truth. Paul’s reaction changed when he was informed that the person he was speaking to was the high priest. He said: I did not know brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.’ (Acts 23:4-5) Paul immediately focused on the scripture and repented. Paul did not do this because the high priest was a good person; rather Paul understood the importance of submitting to those in Authority. The bible says: Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and his doctrine may not be blasphemed. (1 Timothy 6:1) 

The bible also says: 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 guile found in his mouth,” 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. (1 Peter 2:21-23) When you feel like your boss is being unjust, simply commit yourself to God and let Him judge. With Jesus Christ as your Advocate you can be sure that things will work together for your good. (1 John 2:1) 

Here is what God instructs you to do in a nutshell: 

Be submissive to your boss and when things get unjust commit yourself to God. Imagine that you are working for the Lord Jesus himself and act accordingly. This kind of attitude in the workplace is sure to benefit you in the long run. Like Zig Ziglar, the well known American motivator says: Do this and I'LL SEE YOU AT THE TOP!