Submit!

 

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5: 21 NIV84)

            “Submit” is one of those words that tends to bring out the rebellion in us.  Its very definition tells us that we are to yield our will to that of someone else.  In today’s world of independence and personal rights, that’s a hard pill to swallow.  Yet, God calls us to submit, and as Christians, we must obey. 

            So, what does it look like to submit?  The only perfect example of submission is Jesus Christ.  If we are to submit to each other out of reverence for Him, then perhaps we must start by reviewing His life. The Gospel of John has much evidence of the characteristics of Jesus’ submission to His Father.

            First and perhaps foremost, Christ was obedient to the will of His Father.  Early in His ministry, He acknowledged that He came to do the will of God—that is to obey God’s instructions (John 6: 38).  His goal was to please His Father (John 8: 29).  Later, He confirmed that His death was in obedience to the command of the Father (John 10: 17, 18).  God also gave Him the words to say as He continued His ministry on earth (John 12: 49 – 50).  As He prayed in Gethsemane the night of His betrayal, He confirmed that He was about to complete the mission God had given Him (John 17: 4).  That is obedience. 

            Jesus knew the end story even before the beginning of His life on earth.  He also knew that God was in control of the timing (John 8:20), and was not afraid of what man would do to Him.  He performed miracles on the Sabbath, knowing that would attract the Pharisees' attention (John 5: 16).  He was willing to take risks for the sake of His mission.

            As He continued His mission on earth, He fully acknowledged that He was dependent on God (John 5: 30).  God showed Him what to do (John 5: 19).  He came to carry out the Father’s plan, and He relied on the strength of the Father every step of the way.

            Finally, He sought no glory for Himself.  In perfect submission to the Father, He acknowledged that His actions were not for His honor but for the honor of the one who sent Him (John 7: 17, 18).  He reaffirmed that in John 8: 50.  Perhaps, His humility is best exhibited in John 13: 3 – 4, when He assumed the role of a servant and washed His disciples’ feet.

            Obedience, dependence, the absence of fear, and willingness to take risks, coupled with humility. Those are characteristics of Christ’s submission to God, the Father.  The question is, “How many of us are willing to exhibit those same characteristics in submission to our brothers and sisters in Christ?”   When Paul wrote the words of Ephesians 5: 21, he had just completed a discourse on unity in the church.  Unity can only be achieved when we are each willing to yield our independence and rights to others so that the mission God has given us can be completed. 

            Submission is a personal matter.  It will require prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit, but with God’s help, we can do it—but only if we are willing to take the first step.

Ephesians 5: 21 – 33

Gospel of John

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