Submission

When my boys were really young, I loved picking them up and throwing them in the air (and catching them, of course)! And then, as they got older, we moved to wrestling and they always knew who was boss. It was always fun to be able to make them submit to my strength. They are bigger now and it’s not as easy to make them “cry uncle”. To tell the truth, but please don’t tell them, in a few short years they may be able to make me submit in a one on one match.

Submission comes as a result of many things, including, but not limited to; physical strength or size, financial position, fear, sheer numbers and respect.

Many times when someone hears the word submission, it puts a negative connotation in their mind. However, submission is not always negative. When Scripture tells a wife to be submissive to her husband (Colossians 3:18-19), that is not negative, rather, it is to honor the Lord by submitting to her husband’s leadership which is also to be in submission to the Lord. Not a doormat, rather a partner submitting to a role that God will bless and honor when done so in His name.

One of the most vivid examples of submission that I can think of is found in Philippians 2:10-11, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Here we have, although not stated, two groups of people. They are mentioned in one group, but “Every knee should bow” will include those who willingly bow and those who are forced to. Those who have lived in rebellion and have no regard for God will either fall to their knees or will be brought to their knees by a Holy God. However, those who have already submitted their hearts and lives to God through obedience will not find it difficult to submit at all. When the redeemed hear the Name of Jesus, out of love, proper fear, honor, respect, awe and wonder they, we, will fall to our knees in humility.

The question is, which one will you be? The answer lies in which group you find yourself in today. God is inviting you right now to submit to Him as Lord and King and Savior of your life. Have you done so? If not He is inviting you to. If you have, take a moment today and give thanks and shout out before the end of time, that “Jesus Christ is lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Amen…