One of the most misunderstood aspects of discipleship is that of submission. People have all kinds of wrong ideas about submission especially when it comes to areas such as marriage. What does it mean?
Submission means willingly choosing to let someone else lead. It is an act of choice made to prepare the believer for his own submission to God. The Bible is full of admonition for believers in submission. Let’s look at few that theologian Richard Foster has given:
1) Submission to God- We must learn to submit our lives and obey God. “We must obey God rather than man.” Acts 5:29.
2) Submission to scripture- We must learn to live under the authority of God’s Word. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” 1 Timothy 3:17
3) Submission to our family - We must consider others before ourselves. I have learned as the man of the house that I am to love my wife as Christ loved the church. How did He do that? He gave Himself sacrificially for the church. I am to love my wife and children sacrificial. “Do not merely look out for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4. ly.
4) Submission to our neighbors - Again, we must consider others before ourselves. Life is not about us or our rights.“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
5) Submission to the body of Christ- “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
6) Submission to the broken, the despised - We need to be about helping those who need our help and sharing the love of Christ with them. “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27
7) Submission to the world - I have been taught so well the idea that we are never more like God than when we give. God gave His only Jesus so that we might have the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. We need to be about submitting our lives sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to others. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believed on Him might be saved.” John 3:16.
Submission is not an ugly word nor is it something we should avoid. Submission is a spiritual discipline we all need so that we may daily more experience the life and joy that God has for us.
Have a great day!
Rick Calloway