Biblical Submission What’s The Big Deal?

The word submission has become a dirty word in our culture.   What do you think of when you hear the word submit?   What image comes to your mind when you hear THAT word?   Biblical submission, What’s the BIG deal? 

I want to make the case today that the word submission is one of the most lovely words ever invented!  When we add the word biblical to submission then it adds meaning and beauty. Submission is worth nothing without love and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  We must be careful to understand and know the source of our ability to submit.  If we proceed in our own strength, our pursuit leads to drudergy and legalism.  When we walk, in the love shown in the gospel and powered by God alone, we are free!

Let’s start with the Word of God…

Genesis 16:9

The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.”

Psalm 81:11

“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.

Romans 8:7

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

Romans 10:3

For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

Galatians 5:1

[ Christ Has Set Us Free ] For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 5:21

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:22

[ Wives and Husbands ] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:24

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Colossians 2:20

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—

Colossians 3:18

[ Rules for Christian Households ] Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 3:5

For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,

Before we start the discussion…

• God’s Word is true.
• God’s thoughts are never wrong and mine are often wrong.
• When you and I became Christians we were bought with a price.  Our lives are no longer our own, every part of us belongs to Jesus Christ.
• Every Christian both men and women must daily submit to God’s plan for their life.
• God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for our sins so that we could be together with Him forever.  He loves us!
• If you have been wounded by unbiblical submission (even by those claiming to be Christians), remember God is patient and kind and wants to heal you from all such wounds.

Biblical womanhood = FREEDOM

not some list of things to do or become

There may be many valid reasons why biblical submission strikes fear into us. I want to encourage each one of you reading this today to take some time to commit the issue to prayer.  We come from all sorts of backgrounds and life experiences, not all good and some excruciatingly painful. You may have submitted to an authority before and were abused and need healing in this area.   Giving up our thoughts, feelings, and rights at the foot of the cross can be scary!

Men and women are created equal in the sight of God. Christianity is pro-woman.   When we look at the book of Genesis as well as the life of Christ displayed in the Gospels, we see clearly that God’s view of women is that she is the crown of His creation.  God loves men and women equally. We also see that while he created men and women equal. He made males and females differently. He made men and women with different body parts and different roles.  Just because we have different roles does not make women inferior to men. The role of women is just as important as the role of men. We were created equal but men and women are different and that is a very good thing!

Submission is not just for women.  As you can see from the scripture references above, God requires it of both men and women.  He does not think less of women because he requires us to submit to our husbands. He requires both men and women to submit their will to God’s ultimate will.  The command for women to submit to their husbands is not demeaning. If we view God’s rules as being derived from the deep love He has for each of His children then we can understand that he makes rules or commands for our benefit.  He knows how he made us and knows what we need and where we can get into trouble.

We are all about our “rights” aren’t we?  I know that if I am honest I am…

I don’t like it when someone tells me to do something and I don’t fully understand why or what good it will do.

Now, here is the beautiful thing, God is always about loving us.  He is trustworthy.  His ways are good and are without error.   The call to submission for the Christian is in its essence a way to show how thankful we are for God’s overwhelming love!  When we get down to the nitty-gritty. God loved us so much that He sent His very own Son to suffer and die and rise again all for our benefit!  Does that sound like someone who is not trustworthy? We can trust that all that God has for us is good!  Even if we are suffering from a particular trial that is causing great distress. He will work it all for good for those who love Him!

Remember, we as Christians are to be about God’s work here on earth until He calls us home.  Part of that work as women is to submit to our husbands. Not because they deserve it or will always make the right decisions but rather because of our great love for our Savior!   You see, every time we submit to our husbands we are worshiping God. We are saying “I LOVE  YOU”  Jesus!  We are saying I love your ways more than mine!  We are ultimately submitting our ways to God’s ways!

Let’s worship God today by submitting ALL our ways to ALL God’s PERFECT ways… 

Your Turn…

What triggers you about Biblical Submission?

Blessings,