Submission

Background Photo: Ascend Wood

For many, the verses in the Bible about wives submitting to husbands is a touchy subject. But God puts an even higher calling on submission of husbands.
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The instruction for the husbands isn’t to enforce submission or to rule over their wives, but to love them…as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. That is a tall charge! Jesus died for us!

How we live in our relationships often reveals God’s position in our lives and hearts.

As Christians, we are to submit to God’s authority and obey His commands.

But obedience and submission are so incredibly hard for us. They go against our nature and against what society tells us…be independent, go your own way, take charge of your own life, you are the only one in charge of you.

In our culture of individualism, self-centeredness, and rights, we don’t like the idea of submission and obedience.

If we feel a tang of defensiveness at submission, we need to look at our hearts. We are likely struggling with controland/or pride. We are fighting the call to obedience.

So how in the world do we learn to submit and be obedient?

It is important to realize that submission doesn’t mean passively sitting by, a doormat lacking any individual thoughts, abilities and aspirations. It also doesn’t indicate a lesser-than status. We are all created in God’s image and are all equally valued by Him. That is essential to keep in mind.

We can look at Jesus as an example of what submission & serving looks like. After all, who can ever claim any rights greater than His?

Jesus, though equal with God, submitted to God the Father. He didn’t get bent out of shape that He was too good, too holy, too Godly, too perfect (though He was all those things) to submit to anyone else. Instead, Jesus tells us that everything He did and said were under the submission of, and in obedience to, God the Father…
(John 5:19, John 5:30, John 8:28-29, John 12:49-50)

God, help us to submit to You when everything in our human nature fights it. Thank you for giving us a beautiful picture and example of true submission in Jesus.

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Ascend Wood makes wood bracelets giving back to organizations in Kenya, Haiti, and Uganda.

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