We’ve been studying through the book of 1 Peter. In my last post I talked about the place of godly submission in your workplace. When you align yourself correctly, your co-workers see the difference in your life.
The fact is that your workplace needs the Good News of Jesus Christ. For that to happen, you need to see things from God’s perspective. You’re not there just to sell cars or fix broken pipes. You’re there to bring good news to the system.
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
1 Peter 2:20 NIV
Notice that the assumption of this verse is that you want credit. In this context, credit is a good thing. It means an obvious renown. You’re being noticed for the good life you’re living.
On the other hand, if you’re punished for your mess up – you deserve it. That’s not the trouble Peter wants to deal with. He’s talking about suffering even though you’re living right in God’s eyes.
It’s important that we understand that word, commendable. The apostle is literally saying, this is the grace near God. What is this special grace? If you’re in the workplace doing good AND you suffer for it AND you endure and don’t give up…this is the place of grace near God.
Am I saying that you can never leave a dead-end job that treats you like dirt? No – God wants your best. Listen to the Holy Spirit. He will let you know if it’s time to leave. Or He may even change your boss’s attitude.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:21 NIV
This is where we get into the difficult issues. Peter brings the subject of calling into the discussion. In my experience, this is something most people don’t want to deal with.
But the truth is that God’s grace for you is directly tied to your calling. I’m sure you understand that no matter where you go there will be trouble, that you didn’t cause. The question is, will you receive the grace to endure it?
This verse assumes that you are walking in your calling. The trouble is that many believe that calling only deals with what you’re called to do. Actually, calling includes what you’re called to do, the place you’re called to do it, and the time when you are called.
Too many people leave the place of their calling because of the challenges. At that point they miss out on the grace they could have received to make it through.
These challenges are a part of our calling. You may ask, “Why do I have to endure problems caused by others?” The answer is simply, “Because Christ was.”
This passage has a very interesting structure in the Greek. It says that Christ suffered over us. He did this to leave us an example – literally an underwriting. Like a piece of paper under carbon paper, like we used to use to make copies (back in the old days!). You could always tell the copy because it was blue.
He suffered over us and left us behind as the underwriting, that we should walk where He walked. We are the copy. So, we are to be a copy of Christ to our workplace. That’s seeing the whole picture.
It’s not only about your happiness and benefits. It’s about the eternal destination of everyone you work with.
Question: How well are you copying Christ?
© 2025 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 