This is the second of three articles about how Christians can witness at work drawing from the principles taught in 1 Peter 2:18-25.

Some Monday mornings can be quite a challenge! Shaun's Monday wasn’t getting off to a good start. His work hours had been suddenly changed, which would make balancing work and home life a lot more difficult. Another staff member left, and wasn't replaced, which meant his workload had grown, once again. His colleagues started the day grumbling and complaining. There was a good deal of talk about quitting. In a moment like that, what does it look like for a Christian like Shaun to shine the light of the gospel?

That is the question underlying our Witness at Work series in 1 Peter 2:18–25. In the previous verses, Peter told those first-century household slaves to “be subject” to their masters, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unjust. That is a remarkable command, because it calls Christians to voluntarily engage in extreme submission—even under twisted (Greek: scolios) authority.

There are some obvious objections to such a call. Shouldn't Christians stand up for their rights? Isn’t submission like this dangerous in a fallen world?

In order to understand how Peter could call upon Christians to voluntarily submit themselves like this, the big question that needs to be answered—is “Why?” Why would anyone willingly endure unfair treatment? In verses 19 and 20, Peter gives us the first of two motives for this kind of extreme submission. The first motive is that we want to find favour with God.

“For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 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.”

We’ll look at the second motive in the next article, but for now, here are four things you need to understand about verses 19-20, to help you pursue submission because you want to find favour with God.

1. You need to understand that these verses give you a reason to submit

Peter begins by saying “for”— which introduces the motive and explanation for the voluntary self-submission commanded in v.18. So this is simple: Peter is giving us a reason to practice such extreme submission.

2. You need to understand what “a gracious thing in the sight of God” means (and what it doesn’t mean):

To be willing to practise voluntary self-submission, you must also understand what Peter means (and doesn’t mean) when he says this is “a gracious thing in the sight of God.” The word Peter uses is charis, which most commonly means grace. However in other places, like Romans 7:23, it can mean thanks, or something worthy-of-thanks, or credit. Jesus uses it this way in Luke 6:32, “If you love those who love you, what charis (benefit/credit) is that to you?” In the verse after our text (2:20) Peter asks “what credit is it…?” and although he uses a different word for credit, it shows the same idea is in his mind here in verse 19 when he is saying that when we endure sorrows while suffering unjustly, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. He is saying it is something worthy of thanks or credit. William Tyndale helpfully translated it as something that is “thanke worthye.”

But from whom do we receive thanks or credit?

Peter is saying that when we’re willing to suffer, we receive credit from God. What a thought! God, we could say, thanks the believer for their extreme submission. This act attracts His favour. Many Christians pray that they would find favour with their employers, colleagues, or customers. There’s nothing wrong with that, but Peter is speaking about something far greater: finding favour with God Himself.

However, we must be absolutely clear about what Peter is not saying. He is not saying that Christians earn salvation through good behaviour. The Bible teaches that salvation is God's gift, received by grace through faith in Jesus. No amount of submission to your employer or suffering for righteousness can earn you a place in heaven. The Bible's message is not that we achieve salvation but that we receive it, and only because Christ accomplished salvation on our behalf through His death and resurrection. Eternal life belongs to those who trust Him, not their works. In 1 Peter 2:19, Peter is addressing those who already belong to Christ. The question here is not how to become accepted by God but how to live in a way that pleases Him now that we are.

3. You need to understand what exactly is seen by God as “a gracious thing”

What exactly is it that finds favour in God's sight—what is a “gracious thing” to God? It is when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly (v.19).

Lots of people have a problem with this teaching. They expect the gospel to be a ticket to health, wealth, and prosperity. But that’s not the gospel of the Bible; that’s a false gospel. Jesus tells his disciples that there is a cross to bear. He tells his followers to expect suffering.

Peter is instead talking about how we respond to suffering. We will all suffer, but there’s a way to suffer that is “a gracious thing.” There are two parts to this:

Firstly, it is a gracious thing when we endure sorrows. “Enduring sorrows” conveys the idea of remaining steadfast under pressure, or continuing to carry a load. It means that you’re enduring an ongoing hard situation, without giving up.

Secondly, Peter makes it clear that he’s talking about enduring sorrows during unjust suffering. This is not suffering for your own sin and stupidity. A believer suffering the consequences of their laziness or incompetence should not imagine that that finds favour with God. Peter immediately clarifies this in verse 20: "For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure?"  But if you are doing good, and yet you have to endure sorrows by bearing up under them—this is unjust suffering, and it is a gracious thing in God’s sight.

4. You need to understand what it means to be “mindful of God”

Peter says your endurance must be exercised "mindful of God." This endurance is not merely grinning and bearing it. It’s not fatalism. Being mindful of God means being conscious of Him—fearing Him, and wanting to do what pleases Him, knowing that He’s watching. It’s a choice not to grumble, complain, take revenge, or get angry in your situation. Instead, you submit willingly and work heartily as for the Lord, not for men, because “you are serving the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:22–24). This means that, as John MacArthur put it, “no Christian has a secular job.” Every day you go to work as a Christian, you are working for Jesus. Every little act of everyday submission in your life, which you do mindful of God, counts. It counts because God in heaven notices you working for Jesus. When you endure “mindful of God,” you’re serving Him, and He will reward you.

And that’s the first motive to endure suffering: because you want to find favour with God. This is not to earn his salvation but to live in a way that pleases him. Do you understand this motive now? You do need to understand this first, but now, you must commit to pursuing it.

Check out the next article in this series to learn the second reason for extreme submission.