Hello Interns,
I wanted to send out some thoughts in response to your great question on submitting to authority last Tuesday morning.
While we all recognize that submission is Biblical, what does that mean. This study is very comprehensive. Although I’ve given various messages on submission in the area of relationships (marital, church, leadership, civil), it is our challenge and call to be constant learners and stewards of our hearts in this area.
1 Peter 2:13-25 says –
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution [creature], whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 [Act] as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but [use it as bond slaves of God. 17 Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this [finds] favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer [for it] you patiently endure it, this [finds] favor with God. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting [Himself] to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Submission refers to putting myself under or below another. Or when I yield or surrender to another’s authority, ideas, plans or decisions. It’s my decision to be “under or below” another’s mission.
Why do I submit?
For the Lord’s sake. It’s not a matter of I “get to or have to”, it’s a matter of my obedience to God.
Submission involves my hearts decision to choose service to others and sacrifice to fulfill God’s will.
Who do I submit to?
Of course God but in Peters’ context, I submit myself to human authority and masters (leaders, bosses). Also, Ephesians 5:21 writes, and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. We are responsible to submit to ourselves to one another.
Many questions have been raised in light of how and when we are to submit to “sinful authorities.” God called Daniel, Joseph and even Jesus, to submit to governing authorities who were “less than” perfect. We must live close the heart of God and the Word of God, pray and obey Him along the way when our convictions, conscience are being tested or challenged.
Questions to ask.
- When we cultivating the heart of submission, we need to understand several things:
- Who and what are we submitting to?
- What is expected of me? What are my responsibilities?
- What is my role?
- What are the rewards and consequences of…?
Answers to these question will lead me to understand why I should/need to submit.
There is much to study, learn and APPLY in our life of submission…to God, leadership, our families and one another. With you, I journey into the adventures of submission. Success, fruitfulness and living a God pleasing life will be determined by how well we learn to submit.