SUBMISSION
Submission is a step of faith into the Father’s arms.
Submission is our journey into sonship.
The literal meaning for the Greek word of submission is dependency. To be dependent upon.
Submission means: to be Subject (Sub) to a mission.
Jesus was indeed dependent on the Father and was also subject entirely to His Father’s mission
(John 5:19).
He learnt obedience through suffering (Heb 5:8)
Jesus became a son through obedience. He was son of God but also son of man. He subjected himself to the will of his earthly parents even when at 12 was already ministering. He subjected himself even if it meant to go under people who did not have His spiritual insight. (Luke 2:41-51)
There are no Fathers because there are no sons. Jesus was a son.
Jesus modelled the way of the kingdom. He said come learn from me meekness and gentleness (Matthew 11:29) which he displayed by submitting to His authorities both spiritual and earthly.
There are two ways.
The way of the world which seeks power, control, status, promotion, prominence, possessions, positions …
The way of the kingdom, which is the way of love made real and practical by submission
SUBMISSION IS AN INNER ATTITUDE
Attitudes that display a lack of understanding on the matter:
A. I only submit to perfect people – I cannot submit because those above me also make mistakes;
hence how can I possibly follow their instructions
B. I submit as long as I can get something out of it – I submit as long as it profits me.
If there is no evidence of profitability then I cannot submit
C. Submission is absolutely not an option – I rather dwell in the wilderness of rebellion
THE LATIN MEANING FOR THE WORD SUBMISSION IS: TO GO UNDER AND PUSH UP!
TESTS OF SUBMISSION: 6 THINGS WE NEED TO OVERCOME OR AVOID
a. Unrewarded labour – the test of a true servant is to know who his Master really is
b. Unmet expectations
c. Delayed or absence of promotion of position or vision/ plan
d. Disagreement with a decision or correction – correction benefits us and it is for sons (Heb 12:8)
e. Opportunity to take advantage of weaknesses
f. Opportunity to sow discord
SUBMISSION IS FOR OUR OWN BENEFIT (Heb. 13:17) AND IT IS A TRUE DISPLAY OF SONSHIP
We need to be sons. Whose son are you? Who is your daddy?
Submission to God, the Father, is only displayed through submission to a man. The natural reflects our true spiritual attitude (1 John 4:20)
PRACTICAL STEPS
a. Do not look at faults, rather trust in God
b. Drop your agenda (like the disciples drop their nets)
c. Deal with inner motives (attitude: why are you submitting?) when they will come to the light, and they will (the older brother clearly manifested an inner attitude of rebellion when the prodigal son returned).
d. Speak life over your leaders, refrain from criticism and gossip
e. Cover weakness (there are several curses described in the bible for those who uncovered their father’s nakedness)
f. Promote, liberate, help to further the vision of your leaders, overseers. Go under and push up.
g. Help is always practical. What can you practically do to help and to be a delight not a burden
h. Financial sowing into the life of your leaders – Galatians 6:6
CONCLUSION
Let us walk as sons, let us go under and push up. We have the amazing opportunity to develop a community based on the way of Jesus and not the way of the world.
