Think of a football team as an example, since that’s the particular sports season we’re in at the moment. He pointed out that ultimately this means being willing to subordinate oneself to a common mission – sub-mission. Recently I heard a speaker offer a helpful insight into this matter of submitting. Consider the extent to which Jesus loved His Church, offering up His own life.Īnd those verses directed toward husbands and wives are preceded by the admonition that we’re to “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). Submit to HIM?! Just as soon as they confirm that the moon’s made of gouda cheese!”īut did you know husbands are given a command that’s every bit as demanding, perhaps even more? Because a verse that follows says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Many wives read this and think, “You’ve got to be kidding.

In fact, for many this is the most problematic area of submission, since the Bible says, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). We might not be slaves is a literal sense, but it’s hard to submit to bosses when we’re treated like slaves, isn’t it? Submission in the realm of work is another biblical admonition: “ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh” (1 Peter 2:18). But it’s affirmed in another passage: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority…” (1 Peter 2:13). That’s a tough one, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). Then there’s the command, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17). We find admonitions to submit to spiritual leaders: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. As a result, we find the biblical commands to submit quite troublesome. The idea of submitting, whether to parents, teachers, bosses, law enforcement officers, or even the government, makes us cringe. It doesn’t get any better as we become teenagers or adults.

Those who remain verse