SOME THOUGHTS ON SUBMISSION

Our culture often views submission as weakness, and any hint of submission often makes us bristle. We have a general disposition to live in rebellion against submitting to authority—which can make it difficult for us to grow into the likeness of Jesus.

Yet, the Apostle Paul admonished the Ephesians and us to:

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

We read these words from the Apostle Paul—especially the subsequent passage about husbands and wives and parents and children—and many of us find them offensive. We read about wives submitting to their husbands or husbands loving their wives as Christ loved the Church (sacrificially)—and it raises our collective blood pressure. We don’t like submitting to anyone or anything—but this verse reminds us that mutual submission in our relationships is founded on our submission to Jesus.

The call to surrender (or submit) to Jesus is the first step in our path to sanctification—the process of becoming set apart for Christ. To submit to Christ is to put myself voluntarily under His leadership and authority in my life. It’s a step of humility to admit I can’t save or change myself into the person Jesus wants me to be.

The story of all the saints in the Bible involves surrendering to God’s leadership. Noah had to submit to the radical call to build an ark—abandoning his life plan. Abraham had to abandon his hometown, friends, and family to experience what God had for him. Moses, Esther, Mary, and Jesus Himself had to submit to God’s call on their lives. None of these people would define their relationship with God by simply “praying a prayer.” Their faith was made real and evident by obediently submitting to what God revealed to them. In our sincere effort to save souls, we’ve often made the Gospel too small—with no surrender and consequently no power.

I’ve found there are areas of my life that God, His Word, or others will regularly point out that need further examination. Obedience requires sanctification. Some things will only change when I fully surrender.

What about you? Surrender may be the missing step in your walk with Jesus, my friends.



Bishop Jeff Greenway