What Is True Submission Before The LORD?
Good morning.
The answer I believe, lies in submitting to authorities from our very hearts and beings.
Today, I just feel to re-address a subject again that is most touchy.
First a song that I love by Danny Gokey. He seems to have a good testimony and has been through much fire.
Take a listen. Hope it ministers to you as well.
“Just give me Jesus.”
In this day and age we don’t want to talk much about ‘submission’.
Still we need to as it is most important.
This link may go somewhat with this message: “Should We Obey God and Man at the Same Time?“
It will be up to you read before and behind the verses and/or run references later on.
‘Submission’ is our topic and I will attempt to bring out some main points.
First remembering:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.
#1 We have submission in the ‘home’ with husbands, wives and children.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto The LORD. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as The LORD the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” Ephesians 5:22-31.
“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:23.
This was precious as Eve was taken from a rib. Some say it was near his heart.
Man is not to govern with a ‘rod of iron’ but loving that wife as Christ loves The Church!
Correctly applied, the home will be in order.
Twisting our LORD’s message, it will turn into ‘brow beating’ to the wives and children!
That is missing the mark and the message from the heart of God.
So what do we see in Scriptures about the children’s part and the Father’s?
“Children, obey your parents in The LORD: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of The LORD.” Ephesians 6:1-4.
Fathers and all parents in authority must always rule well.
These scriptures are to be applied in The LORD, although.
If a child should be told to do something ungodly that is different!
Never break a child’s spirit but only their strong will of ‘disobedience’.
Children need much love and guidance, and not a harsh rule book.
The world is most harsh already and trying to beat them down to submit to Baal already.
By the way, so many literally have taken the Scripture to beat a child with a rod, ‘literally’.
Some children have died while a parent beats them out of their own anger and frustration!
Still a corrective rod in ‘The Spirit’ should be applied of course.
Also when harsh discipline is applied you can break a bone, bruise and more than that even that, give them ‘life scars’.
Never use corporal punishment when you are angry!
To me it only has a place when children are ‘very small’ and being most disobedient. (Also as long as the parents are in full control.)
My heart breaks for children being whipped and beat who have angry authority figures!
Let us rule with love, mercy and grace to the young ones.
Corrective measures of ‘withholding privileges’ can go a long way!
A child’s home should be their safe haven with loving parents allowing them to speak and express themselves.
As long as it is within some guidelines: They should be taught ‘respect’ for authority figures in a loving and kind manner from birth.
(We all have failed in life and none of us have been perfect. Still we need see where we have missed it, and began again. Thank God for forgiveness when we cry out and a new day!)
#2 Servants and masters:
“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to The LORD, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of The LORD, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him,” Ephesians. 6:5-9.
(Now this can be applied today in our work places.)
#3 We are to submit to elders.
(Everything should be in its proper context. Again, these are all Godly submissions we are talking about.)
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5.
#4 We are to submit to one another.
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:21.
#5 We have Governing authorities we are to submit to.
Again refer to the link provided.
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.” Romans 13:1-5.
(This is submission in all areas unless it interferes with the laws of our God. That is always the ‘higher authority’.)
Now recapping: The main places I see about submission in the Bible is Home; Servants and Masters; Elders in The Church; and to One Another in the Church and the Governing laws of our lands.
It is to be true submissions from the ‘heart’ that are applied.
All things begin in our homes!
We are also talking about a Body of believers, not a specific Church building.
Wherever we gather as a Church, this should govern us.
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40.
Rebellion and utter chaos is the ‘flip coin’. I don’t want that. Do you?
That is another subject although for another time.
God bless you all.
~ Joyce D. McGuire
My name is Joyce D. McGuire, called to work in and for the Kingdom of God! To lead we must try to follow Jesus Christ closely. That is my heart. I am a Chaplain to the prisons; prophetic intercessor by His grace; author; and a Mother in the Kingdom of God. To many I am simply Mama Joyce. Some favorite verses of mine are Matthew 11:28-30. My YouTube channel is: Chaplain Joyce McGuire. I also post YouTube videos.
Thank you Adams for your comments. Yes it is so true what you spoke about “Submission being a prerequisite in every facet of our lives as it touches all”… etc.
God wants a submissive people to His Will and His ways.
He wants to bless us and not hurt us. God bless you, son.
Appreciates your love & kind response Mama. Praying for you, ministry, your family & all that concerns you. Thanks again
Thank you.
Mama, thanks for these beautiful write ups with clear scriptures for further explanations. I want to add that submission is a prerequisite in every facet of our life as it touches all (God, elders, children, husbands, wives etc) with none exempted & as such none excusable! The challenges we are facing today in the world is because of mankind’s lack of submission to God & rules(authority) of the land. Also,thanks for shedding more light on the danger of harsh (corporal) punishment on children especially when parents are angry. Lots of caution & wisdom needed here. May God help us all to be submissive to God & man in Jesus name. God bless you Mama with more Grace.