Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you
What is submission? What does submission mean? Often we tend to link this word “submission” to exploitation and abuse. Many people picture it as a doormat for someone else to step on. But does some of us feel that shouldn’t submission mean something better? Something better than what we perceive it to be? After all, God does call us to submit.
In actual fact, true submission in the kingdom of God is a very powerful and liberating thing.
Submission is God’s idea, therefore true submission should not be oppressive. It should not be to limit or restrict us, but instead, it should be to protect us. Submission as God intended it to be, is to release us into a new level of obedience and faith in God.
In order to become mature in our relationship with God and others, often time we are required to understand the principles of authority and submission and how they operate in the kingdom of God. For since God set up this authority structure, he usually works within this authority structure and does not bypass it often. This also means that he speaks to us, disciplines us and moulds our character through our parents, pastors and spiritual leaders.
what kind of situations do you find it difficult to submit to others? How did you feel when you were expected to submit in that situation?
Luke 2:51-52 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Even though Jesus was the Son of God, how did he behave towards His earthly parents?
Even though his mother knew that Jesus would be the Messiah, she didn't understand his purpose here on earth. Still, despite her not being able to sympathise, Jesus's act of obedience spoke of his love for her more than anything... in relative comparison, how is our relationship with Our parents? does understanding matters? or love come first and thereafter strike understanding? Do our love for them show?
Hebrews 5:7-8 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered
Even though Jesus was the Son of God, what did he learn as a human being?
In our life situations, does the pride in us stand in the way of submittting to the situations?
1Peter 2:21b-24 …Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Philippians 2:5-11 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
What example did Jesus set for us to follow?
Throughout the bible, Jesus models for us true submission. And if Jesus the powerful Son of God was submissive in his life it means that submission is not a sign of weakness. Contrary to what the world thinks, submission is not for wimps, or losers, cowards. Anyone can rebel, but it takes a mature person to submit. Submission does not make you smaller, but bigger. It shows maturity of character. Through your attitude and act of submission, at the same time, you are honoring and pleasing God actually.
Submission is Not:
1)to be a doormat
2)to blindly follow orders
3)to be forced to do something you do not want to do
4)to undermine or diminish your personhood, self-esteem and well-being.
Submission IS:
1)to acknowledge the God-given authority of someone, that God has place him or her in authority over you.
2)to have humility
3)to voluntarily co-operate with authority, even when you disagree
4)to realize that God knows best, that you are not the person to judge those who are in authority over you.
5)An act of faith that expresses trust in God
6)A sign of spiritual maturity. It honors and brings pleasure to God.
When we submit to God and the authorities He has placed over us, we are honoring God. We do not have to gear that we would be trampled upon. And we can definitely be assured that God has our best interest at heart.
In our moments of quiet time with the Lord, commit into prayer that we may learn the true submission. As lessons and testing come our way, in our spiritual walk, pray that the guiding hand of God would be evidently mentoring us, leading us to breakthrough in this area of submission.
Entrusted with a holy calling are we,
The light of the world to be,
To lift up the lamp of the Savior,
That others His light may see.
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