Jesus first, then the boss.

We are talking about if you should you do whatever your boss says. When should you say no to your boss?

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Ephesians 5:21 “Submit to one another in the fear of Christ.”

In the fear of Jesus means Jesus first! We submit to Jesus first, then the boss second. How do you submit to those over you who ask you to disobey Jesus? If those over you ask you to sin, the answer is, “No, I won’t disobey Jesus to submit to you.”

Story: It was Jesus first and then the coach second. The coach was unfair and untruthful. I submitted to the coach even though he had not set a truthful standard. We all were forced to follow the Fr-So-Jr-Sr system, and the freshman carried the bags and equipment. I was a sophomore but still was commanded to carry the bags and equipment with the other freshman. We put new grass between the fence and the infield. We waited all fall for it to grow and ran around it to go on the field. Finally the coach said we could walk on the new grass. Everyone on the team ran out onto the field right over the new grass, but you guessed it! He turned to see me going out across the grass with the equipment and commanded me to run. I ran around the field the rest of practice while the entire team had batting practice. There were times he would just look at me for no reason and tell me to run the block 1 or 2 times. The block of the university was a 2 mile run. Pitchers would run the block at the end of practice 2 or 3 times. I was averaging between 6 and 10 miles each practice.

Why did I obey him? I had given my word to submit to him as the coach. He commanded me to run, but he didn’t ask me to do anything to disobey Jesus. In the fear of the Lord I submitted to Jesus first and the coach second. I was in great shape after all that running!

Story: It was Jesus first and then the boss second. The Vice President was godly and truthful. I delivered the “annual review” package to the vice-president’s office for my supervisor. It was the review of the director of our department. I had told my supervisor that I wouldn’t answer the questions in writing because I believed the questions were asking me to gossip about my director. I wrote that I would answer the questions with the director present so that there wouldn’t be any misunderstanding or gossip.

The Vice President took the packet and told me to wait. He looked at my review and said, “Review your director the way we have set up the system.” I explained, and he disagreed. He said, “You have to submit to me as the boss.” I said, “Jesus first, then you. I will submit to you but not if you ask me to disobey Jesus. If you need to fire me, then fire me. You have my permission.”

Prayer coaching: “Jesus help my boss walk in the truth and never ask me to do something that disobeys You. If for some reason my boss asks me to disobey You, help me to follow you first at all costs.”