The "S" Word
by Pastor Bill Pevlor
It is practically considered a swear word by many women today, even those
in the church, but “submission” is still in the Bible! It is most commonly
associated with wives toward husbands, but the actual scriptural application
includes far more than just married women. The universe has an inherent
structure of authority established by its creator; the Almighty God. If you are
a part of God’s creation (and you are) you fall within the boundaries of some
established authority. Within this universal structure of authority, not only
are you under someone else’s authority, you also possess a measure of
authority. The most powerful man in the world is subject to a higher authority.
The most insignificant person in the world also has a measure of authority.
Knowing where you fit and responding properly to this God-established structure
of authority can make the difference between success and failure, peace and
frustration, even life and death.
First of all, we are all called to submit to God (James 4:7). Whether we
realize it or not, we all submit to someone. Even rebellious sinners are slaves
to their sin (John 8:34). Sin is a hard task master. Although it may be fun for
a season, eventually sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you
longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. Jesus, on
the other hand, is a very good master. He said in Matthew 11:28-30 that He gives
us rest. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. Serving Jesus brings true
peace, joy and contentment.
To submit basically means to obey. Jesus said in John 14:15 that if we
love Him we will obey Him. That is really what it’s all about. If we love
Jesus and believe that He loves us then we trust him. We believe that He knows
and wants what is best for us, so we obey Him.
Out of our love for the Lord Jesus and our desire to obey Him, we also
follow His instructions to submit to others. There are several cases in
scripture where we are called upon to submit to other people. 1 Peter 5:5 tells
us to respect our elders. In Ephesians 5:22, wives are instructed to submit to
their husbands. In chapter six, verse one, children are told to obey their
parents. Verse five exhorts servants to obey masters. This could easily be
applied to employees and employers, students and teachers, and other
contemporary parallels. Hebrews 13:17 commands believers to submit to the
authority of spiritual leaders. 1 Peter 2:13 commands believers to submit to the
laws of government.
In Romans 13:1-2 the Apostle Paul reveals an important principal when he
writes about submitting to governmental authority, “Everyone
must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority
except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been
established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring
judgment on themselves.”
Fighting against authority is a sure way to bring judgment upon yourself because
you are fighting against God.
With the exception of God, authorities are not always right. In those
situations, there are godly ways to deal with them, but rebellion (except in the
most severe circumstances) is not one of them. Remember, you are not just
rebelling against the authority; you’re rebelling against God.
It is important to note that those in positions of authority are also
given instructions regarding the treatment of people in submission to them.
Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians
5:25). That is no small order! Parents are directed not to provoke their
children to anger (Ephesians 6:4). Masters are instructed not to be threatening
and to remember that they have a Master as well (Ephesians 6:9). In many places
throughout the scriptures church leaders are commanded to watch over the flock,
caring for them as Jesus would, knowing that someday they will have to give an
account of their leadership.
Finally, Ephesians 5:21 and 1 Peter 5:5 both exhort all believers to
submit to one another. Paul tells us to submit to one another out of reverence
for Christ. Peter encourages us to walk in humility, reminding us that God
resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. That is the real issue,
humility. If we want the grace of God extended to us, we need to have a humble
spirit, whether we are husbands or wives, parents or children, leaders or
followers.
So, the next time you hear the "S" word, don’t cringe, just smile and remember the blessings that result from a humble heart!
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