Thursday, September 5, 2013

Submissive

…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Ephesians 5:18-21 

Submissive is one of those words at which everyone balks. No one wants to admit they should be “submissive” nor do they even want to discuss it! Submissive to God means to be in awe of Him, to have reverence for Him, surrendering and yielding our will and plans over to His guidance. There—that’s not so bad is it? I can be submissive to God. It’s just to other people that I have the problem of being submissive. How about you? Shouldn’t we be treating everyone as if they were Jesus? Then it might be a little easier to be submissive. 
Training Tip – Kids are instructed to submit, too. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 NKJV It is a pretty tall order for a kid to submit—to give up their own ideas and ego—but they do need to be taught to “OBEY” and that is one of the Ten Commandments. Remember that one? Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you. Exodus 20:12  Review this commandment again with your children. Remind them that you have honored your father and mother…and you expect them to do the same for you. Help them make a list of ways that they can honor both of their parents.

Then consider other “elders” in their lives—especially teachers now that school has started. How can they “honor” their teachers? Have them make another list of things they can think, do and say that will be honor to their teachers. How about your minister…aunts and uncles…grandparents…coaches? These are all elders to whom they should also honor and submit. You may want to have a discussion about the limits of submitting—like no inappropriate touching.

Lord God, help us to willing to submit to one another. Jesus showed us such a great example of submission—to You. Help us to be like Him.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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