Submission – It’s what God requires

Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. - Albert Einstein

Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. - Martin Luther King JR

James 4:7 Analytical-Literal Translation Therefore, be subjected to God. {But} stand up against [or, resist] the Devil, and he will flee from you*.

James 4:7 New King James Version Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

The Right Definition

All too often we find confusion, anger and misunderstanding surrounds the word “submission”. It seems like this thick cloud which the enemy has brought about to keep the body of Christ from the blessings of God. Submission is not inequality. It is incorrect to think that submission means you are not equal with the person in authority, or that they are somehow better than you. Submission has nothing to do with equality but it has everything to do with order.

Galatians 3:28 says whether you're a Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, we're all equal in Christ.

1 Peter 2:13-14 submission is not based on anyone else but you.

The reason why so many people won’t submit to each other is that they're looking at it from the standpoint of, “That person doesn't deserve my submission.” Submission is not determined by the character of the person being submitted to it is determined however by the character of the person who is submitting. You determine your submission. When we look at submission this way, it makes submitting much easier to do. Submission is the first, middle and last step in the path to leadership – any level of leadership at church, home, work and play.

Too often we think that we are not in leadership because we do not hold the top job. The reality is that we all lead someone even if we do not realise we are doing it or the potential of it. Submission is about job descriptions. There are different job descriptions in the body of Christ, and some jobs carry with them more responsibility and, therefore, more authority. Some body has to be given decision-making authority or anarchy will be the result. But authority does not have anything to do with equality.

What Does the Word Say

When you submit to God you build the foundation necessary for submission to others. If you can not submit to God you will always have trouble submitting to others. If you can not submit to someone in authority you need to look at your submission to God – you may find it is non-existent. In submitting to God you will avoid having to deal with contrary thoughts, bitterness, unforgiveness and other critical spirits. Your mind will be at peace because you are abiding by the mandates of God's Word.

Mark 10:44 why do those in leadership need to have a servant's attitude?

Mark 10:45 Jesus came to minister to the world not to be ministered to by the world.

Philippians 2:1-11 the servant’s heart or attitude is the foundation of leadership.

1 Peter 5:1-3 (Amplified Version) if leadership do not have an attitude of a servant then they will have to resort to pressure to get anything done.

1 Peter 5:5 (Amplified Version) what does this scripture tell us about submitting to our elders? We are encouraged to submit ourselves to the elder; not merely in age, but in office.

Ephesians 5:22-24 what is the picture God paints of the relationship between man and woman?

The husband should “love his wife as Christ loved the church,” and the wife should submit to this loving husband “as unto the Lord.” The husband is the “head” of the family, but must be willing to give himself for it.

Chain of Command

The Bible lists a chain of authority that we are supposed to abide by.

James 4:7 First, we are supposed to submit to God.

1 Peter 5:5 then to the laws of our government and all governing officials.

Genesis 2 this chain of command continues even into the family where God created man, then woman from man, and finally children from the woman.

Hebrews 12:9; James 4:7 Submit to God: Ask yourself these questions: Have you told God everything you have is His if He wants it? Have you told Him you will give Him your life?

1 Peter 3:1, 7 Submit in Marriage: As wives and husbands, we have both been called to a life of submission, a life of serving one another (out of equality) – because we have both been called to be conformed to the image of Christ. For wives, submission will look like the church's relationship with Jesus Christ – a picture of submission to their husbands. And for husbands, it will look like Christ's relationship with the church, which He loves so much that He sacrificed Himself for her.

1 Peter 2:13-17 Submit as Citizens: We are called as citizens to “submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men.” So, if we are believers who are citizens of a country, then we are called to a life of submission.

1 Peter 2:18-20 Submit in the Workplace: God commands employees to “submit yourselves to your masters with all respect.” Therefore, if Christian employees are to look like chosen, called people, we must reflect this attitude in the workplace. As Christians, no matter who we are or what we do, we are called to a life of submission… to walk in the steps of Jesus.

Romans 8:29 you see, God cannot conform us to the likeness of his Son in a vacuum. He has to work that miracle within us through the practical experiences of our daily lives, whether we are citizens, employees, wives, husbands or any other believer. Attributes of one who comes along side to help (Leadership Support Team)

The servant of God is a person of Honour

Ephesians 4:1 You have been summoned with a divine summons and worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called. Walk – Walk, walk about, be occupied, to make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities, Hebraistically, to live; to regulate one's life, to conduct one's self; to pass one's life. Worthy – Worthy, as becometh, after a godly sort, suitably, worthily, in a manner worthy of. Vocation – Calling, vocation, a calling, calling to, a call, and invitation: to a feast, the divine invitation to embrace salvation in the kingdom of God.

You have to walk worthy of it. The servant of God is a person of Humbleness

James 4:7-10 the servant of God always submits himself to God. He does this in the knowledge that the Father will, because of the humbleness of heart, lift him up when times are tough.

1 Peter 5:5-7 the servant of God knows that the Father resists the proud and so clothes himself in humility. He does this in the knowledge that the Father will, because of the humbleness of heart, lift him up when times are tough. He also does this because it allows him to cast all his care onto the Father.

Philippians 1:27-30 The servant of God is a person of Patience

2 Corinthians 6:4 Patience – hupomone {hoop-om-on-ay'} – steadfastness, constancy, endurance. In the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. Patiently, and steadfastly; a patient, steadfast waiting for; a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance. He does this because it causes him to be approved as a minister of God.

Luke 8:15 shows us that the servant who is patient brings forth fruit from the Word of God because patience is his good ground.

Luke 21:18 he posses his soul through patience because he knows that no matter what his Father has only good for him.

The servant of God is a person of Love

Galatians 5:22-23 your love is not seen in the words that you can speak it is seen in the works that you do!

Ephesians 5:2 we are to walk in love.

The servant of God is a person of Peace

Ephesians 4:3 always keeps Unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

The servant of God is a person of Truth

3 John 3 we have to walk in truth His word is Truth.

Galatians 3:1-5

Galatians 5:7-10

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The servant of God is a person of the Spirit

Galatians 5:25 we are called to live and walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16

Romans 8:4

Galatians 5:19-21

The servant of God is a person of Faith

2 Corinthians 5:7 we walk by faith and not by sight.

Galatians 5:6 your faith is not seen in the words you speak but in the works you do!

2 Corinthians 6:6

Romans 4:13-25

The servant of God is a person of Honestly

Romans 13:3 (11-14)

1 Peter 2:11-12

Philippians 4:5-9

Acts 6:3

The servant of God is a person of Good Works

Ephesians 2:10 we are created to do good works.

Colossians 1:10 we are called to be fruitful in every good work.

Philippians 2:15

Titus 2:7

The servant of God is a person of Wisdom

Colossians 4:5 we are called to walk in wisdom.

James 1:1-8

Ephesians 5:15-16

Neil Davis, 30/07/2006