Snip-it of the Submission Chapter

Look to Jesus

Hebrews 5:7 "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."

We learn two things from Christ's example. First, that even the sinless Son of God had to pray in order to obey! How much more must sinful people need to depend on prayer to come into obedience. Second, the Father heard His prayer because of His reverent submission. Isn't this stunning? Even within the Godhead, submission was essential.*

At our last meeting we talked a good deal about the example of Christ. It is really eye-opening to see His humanity in His submission to the Father and His humility in coming to earth. What a Savior. His agonizing and fervent prayers serve to teach us so much, and His servanthood shows submission unequal in this world.

*Hughes, Barbara. Disciplines of a Godly Woman, p. 39.

What is Submission?

... Books published during the seventies pigeonholed the word submission as connoting a woman's acquiescence to male dominance.*

At the beginning of our last meeting we discussed whether anyone present had ever felt the same way, and whether they still understood that to be the meaning of submission or if God had changed their thoughts. Several agreed that they had previously understood submission in such a negative way, but that God was indeed helping them grow in their understanding of the truth behind the word.

Submission is yielding to the authority of another.*

A very simple definition, yet the true definition. We spent a great deal of the rest of the night talking about authority and our roles as children, employees, citizens, wives, church members, and most of all--children of God. We find that willingly being under the authority of another person is not natural for us, but we know that it is the best thing for us as our safety is preserved there.

The other major topic of our conversation was about the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We discussed that Lord is a title, one that brings to mind authority and kingship. We often overlook the significance of that title, but our attention was brought to Ephesians 1 which clarifies just what is Jesus' role as Lord:

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. (Ephesians 1:9-10)

We look forward to talking more at our next session about Jesus' authority and His perfect submission to God as a servant on earth. It is amazing to know that when one is put into authority, it is always to serve. Submission is a joy under such circumstances!

*Hughes, Barbara. Disciplines of a Godly Woman, p. 33 & 34.