A Submission about Submission - March 24, 2010

Good Wednesday morning! This morning a man decided that the informality of the workplace had gone too far. This man started calling his boss by the formal, Mr. Jones, as opposed to the first name basis that had gone before. After a few conversations, the boss told him that the company policy was to use first names and to please return to that mode of address. "I think it better for the company if you have the appropriate distance from us, Mr. Jones," the man said.

To some of us, this might sound like a good idea. We grew up back in the day when to address the teacher or boss, we began with Mr. or Mrs., or the person's title such as doctor or professor. However, when it comes to what the boss wants and the company policy, suddenly we run into a problem with submission. Both Jesus and Paul told us to submit to those in authority over us, whether it is in the civil authority, the workplace, or in the church.

The man in my little example may be correct in his assessment of what is best for the company, but he is definitely not correct in his rebellion against the boss's command. Each of us may find many things wrong with our government, teachers, bosses, and even that fellow known as the pastor in our church. In America we can talk to them about the errors we perceive in them, but in Christ we are to submit first. Yes, your church may be wrong, as you see it, in saying do this or don't do that. Wonderful, submit first and then go speak with your pastor or elders about your difference of opinion.

We all have an inborn capacity to rebel. We can call this an inheritance from Adam or original sin, but we hear good advice or a direct order from those in authority, and we immediately feel the urge to rebel. Submission is something that like trust, love, patience, and other fruits of the Spirit we must learn as we grow in Christ. Submission doesn't come naturally to us, no matter what the humanists of the day try to tell us.

Lawful authority, governmental rule, pastoral teaching, and just plain ol' good advice can each bring up a feeling of rebellion in us. We might think of an exception that should apply to us, a way around the rule, or even rebel out of just plain stubbornness. I feel it almost daily it seems. Someone gives me good advice... and I feel the urge to rebel against it. Submission is not for the faint of heart; submission is for the faithful of heart. We learn to submit when and where we should as Christ gains our complete submission to Him.

You probably thought that was taken care of when you surrendered at the cross and were saved. Well, we have this little problem with wanting to grab control of our lives back from our Lord. Learn submission as you learn to love more and more each day. Jesus knows the way to our eternal home; we do not.

Bucky