The goal of all spiritual disciplines is to produce in all of us God’s character
Submission has the potential to produce in us
Compassion
Forgiveness
Integrity
Respect
Responsibility
Initiative
Cooperation
Perseverance
What would the world look like if God’s people actually conducted ourselves the way Jesus did in the area of submission?
What if you supported someone else’s initiative at work, even if it wasn’t your idea and you don’t have complete confidence that it was the best choice?
What if when a coworker begins to discuss politics that you don’t agree with you simply let them talk and then affirmed the things you do agree with rather than feel the need to point out all the negative aspects of his or her views?
What if we were more interested in relationships and than power?
But what if I put all my efforts into making someone else’s idea a reality and it fails, how will that reflect on me? Or worse, if it succeeds, and I don’t get any of the credit?
It feels scary right? If I don’t stick up for myself at work and make sure that I get credit for my good ideas, I might be overlooked for that big promotion?
If my children don’t see how frustrated I am with their constant neediness, won’t they just take advantage of me? Or maybe if my actions communicate my love and care for them, they will build confidence and self-reliance as an outgrowth of that security.
I refer you back again to the fact that God is for us.
While following the path Jesus laid out for us may not produce the kind of earthly success the world recognizes, it will have a kingdom impact beyond what we can imagine. Click To Tweet
My personal problem in this area tends to be that pesky selfish sinful nature, I just plan don’t want to. I don’t always feel like giving up my own way for others. (And when I do feel like it, I usually felt pretty self-righteous about it.)
If I wait to feel the feelings before I do the things, I probably won’t ever do it.
Sometimes we have to do the work, and pray that God changes our hearts. This is the part that I struggle with most. I can sometimes do the work, but I often find myself seething instead of a deep-seated resentment when those I care for and support don’t seem to notice or appreciate my efforts.
Foster ranks for us the various kinds of submission we are called to.
Submission to God
This means we are willing to do what God tells us to do, even when it isn’t convenient and goes against our plans.
Submission to the scriptures
This means that we have to be willing to live and do as the Bible says, even if it is contrary to our culture, and even our own personal feelings on a subject.
Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying that we use the Bible as a club to beat others with. But rather a tool for shaping us to be more like Jesus.
Submission to family
This means that regardless of the position that I hold my immediate and extended family, I am willing to give up my own way, and instead prefer others
Submission to our neighbors and those meet in our daily lives
This means that we give up our right to stand our ground in every conflict we encounter, and instead yield to others.
Submission to the believing community
This means I am willing to prefer others in the body of Christ. I am willing to serve the vision and ideas of others.
(It also means that I humbly accept thanks if they are, diverting credit to God and the work he has done in me.)
Submission to the broken and despised
This means that I give those who have less than me my compassion, my time, and my resources whether I feel they deserve them or not. It means that I recognize that much has been given much is required and prayerfully consider what the practical application of that looks like in my life.
Submission to the world.
I do not expect my faith to be respected, I choose not to complain when I am maligned or slandered for the sake of the gospel. I do not grumble about the good old days when our nation had values and respected the position of the church, but instead pursue a life of genuine love and service, learning what it means to love my enemies and do good to those who persecute me, as Jesus called me to.
The beautiful truth of submission that has gotten lost over the years is that it is not defined by our social standing, job title, financial status. or spiritual maturity.
Submission is the great equalizer, it levels the ground at the foot of the cross. We are all equally called to extend it to each other. Click To TweetThis is the fifth and final post in a series about the discipline of submission. While some of the sentiments feel especially appropriate and convicting right now, I actually wrote this over a year ago as a teacher for our church’s Wednesday night adult class. Bear with me as I figure out how to best share this important area for growth that the majority of us need in our spiritual lives. You can find the first, second, third, and fourth posts, here, here, here, and here.
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