In a couple of weeks millions of people will have had submitted their tax returns to the IRS. In the past I have done my own and had other people do them. This year I sent a big box of business stuff to my tax guy to prepare so I can submit my tax return.
We submit all the time! But when it comes to God, submission and to whom and for whom we are to submit it becomes a very dirty word. After a challenging study in our Thursday night Life Connection Group for our church I decided to embark on a study of the word “submit” in the scripture. Over the next several weeks I will be writing about this word and its relation to the life God has for us.
Let me start off by giving you some definitions of the word submit…
Websters 1913– 1. to let down; to lower 2. to put or place under 3. to yield, resign, or surrender to power, will or authority; to yield one’s person to the power of another; to give up resistance; to surrender
New Websters– to yield to governance or authority b: to subject to a condition, treatment, or operation <the metal was submitted to analysis>2: to present or propose to another for review, consideration, or decision ; also : to deliver formally <submitted my resignation>3: to put forward as an opinion or contention <we submit that the charge is not proved>intransitive verb1 a: to yield oneself to the authority or will of another : surrender b: to permit oneself to be subjected to something <had to submit to surgery>2: to defer to or consent to abide by the opinion or authority of another.
We don’t like to submit our power to anyone. But to start off this study we should start with Christ’s submission. This idea fits perfectly since this week we celebrate the life given death of Christ. Matthew 26:39 shows us Christ’s attitude of submission:
“He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Matthew 26:39 NLT)
Jesus was willing to give up what many would call his rights and will so that God could accomplish the task of bringing salvation to the world. Submission here is a wonderful thing to think about. Submission here brings us joy, peace, God’s forgiveness and eternity!
This brings me to something that we need to keep in mind when thinking about submission…When there is a God ordained institution or relationship submission is a wonderful and beautiful thing.
In the coming weeks I will look at some other “God ordained” institutions and relationships, like…
God and Creation
Jesus and the Church
Leaders and the Church
Christ and Parents
Parents and Children
Husbands and Wives
Older and Younger
God’s Law and People
May we come to see submission as a beautiful relationship that God intended.
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