SUBMISSION- God’s way (Part 1)
Submit to one another out of reverence out of Christ. (Ephesians 5 v 21)
Wait a minute……. If children are to submit to their parents, wives are to submit to their husbands, and workers are supposed to submit to their bosses, how could the apostle Paul tell everyone to submit to one another?” A misunderstanding of this scripture can lead to chaos in all these relationships and more. Here’s what we know, the Bible is clear that while we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3 V 28), God has assigned us different roles. In today’s verse, Paul addressed the attitude that each of us must have as we perform our roles.
In other words, all of us MUST walk in the Spirit and have a genuine, humble heart towards everyone no matter our role. This type of mutual submission means that regardless of our position, we are to have the attitude of consideration towards others. Even if God has placed us in a role of authority (moms to children, pastors to church members, governors to constituents, etc.), we are not to take our God-ordained position as a license to lord over those whom He has graciously put under our care.
Sadly, there are many examples of husbands, teachers, pastors, and pretty much everyone in relationships who have abused their positions and have not been true servant leaders. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of servant leadership. When He walked this earth, He has supreme authority over sin and demons, as well as the authority to teach both His disciples and the religious leaders of the day. But He never abused those under His authority by treating them as less than who they were—a special creation of God.
As we mutually submit to each other, we find sweetness in our roles, the husband as head of the house and his wife submitting to him. Don’t believe it? Rely on the Holy Spirit for help, and give it a shot.
LOVE IN ACTION
- Talk about how biblical submission can be regarded as an act of love and why our society doesn’t see it that way.
- Read Ephesians 5 v 1-21 discuss with each other negative examples of not walking in the spirit, as well as positive examples of what happens when we do.
- Talk about the effects walking in the Spirit can have on your marriage.
P R A Y E R
Lord, help us to humbly submit to one another in the same way that Jesus Himself did for our good and for your glory.