September 25 | Week 4: Life Together
Submitting Out Of Reverence For Christ
Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
1. Who are we supposed to submit to? Why?
We are supposed to submit to “one another“. I think the most important part of this passage is the reason why as we submit out of reverence for Christ. If I revere Christ then when asked to imitate or do something that is against him I will refuse. However, if the example or direction is not against the scriptures, then I am obliged to obey if I revere Christ! Therefore, lacking submission means I lack reverence! Lastly, I must prioritize my reverence for Christ over my opinions and feelings!
Submit To Their Authority
Hebrews 13:17
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
1. What are we told to do with those who lead us?
We are told two specific things to do with those who lead us. First, we are to “have confidence” in them. “Peithō” is the Greek word that translates as “have confidence” in this scripture. Interestingly, “peithō” is translated as “persuade (22x), trust (8x), obey (7x), have confidence (6x), believe (3x)”, and “be confident in”.
Submission & Trust, Confidence & Persuasion
For example, Matthew 27:20 says “But the chief priests persuaded (peithō) the crowd to ask for Barabbas…”. Later, Matthew 27:43 records “He trusts(peithō) in God. Let God rescue him now…” peithō is rendered as “confident” in Luke 18:19 and “obeying” in Galatians 5:7. Interestingly, all these facets of “peithō” convict me when I consider how I view my leaders. Reverence for Christ will give me the foundation and mindset to see leaders spiritually.
Critical In Opinion Or Reverent In Submission
Second, we are called to submit to leaders’ authority. “Hypeikō” translates as “submit” in this scripture. This word (hypeikō) means “to resist no longer, but to give way, yield (of combatants)” and metaphorically “to yield to authority and admonition, to submit.” Therefore, when I am “putting up a fight” on an opinion matter I am not being submissive. I can have and express my opinion. However, what is my attitude in doing so? Am I critical or reverent?
The Weight Of Mistrust & Disobedience
2. Why does it say to make their work a joy and not a burden?
The scripture says that making my leaders’ work a burden would be of no advantage to me. Consider this, if I decide that I will not have confidence in (peithō) my leadership and therefore refuse to submit (hypeikō) to their authority what will that do to our love for each other? I cannot say that I revere Christ with such a mindset. Furthermore, I have felt the crushing weight of mistrust myself both serving as a leader and in the fellowship overall. Jesus Christ himself brought our unity before God in prayer the night he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 17:20-21) Love always trusts. (1 Corinthians 13:7) When disciples trust God and revere him, they will trust their leadership and submit to their authority; this is a great joy for anyone serving as a leader! (3 John 1:3)
A Humble Heart Is A Submissive Heart
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
1. What should you do with your own interests? What about the interests of others?
I should not look to my own interests – I should put them aside. Other peoples’ interests I should look into and bring to the forefront. Therefore, I will crucify my selfish ambition (my interests/desires) and vanity (my idea or interest is “better”) by doing so. Humility is the key to this kind of love.
Crucify Pride, Selfish Ambition & Vanity
2. Why is this so hard for us?
Putting others’ interests above my own is hard when I am proud, selfishly ambitious, and/or conceited. I will not put aside my “interests” (e.g. opinions, feelings, attitudes, thoughts, perspective, etc) when I have any of these in my heart. Interestingly, Jesus Christ demonstrated time-and-time again the exact opposite of this kind of disposition. Therefore, if I truly revere him I will be much more flexible and submissive in pressing my own “interests”.
The Key To Submission Is Reverence For Christ
APPLICATION: Submitting is not weakness, it is trust. Is there a leader, or a brother or sister, you have been resisting? Go to them this week with a humble heart.
Where do I have the hardest time submitting? I believe that a submissive, reverent heart does not complain or grumble! Additionally, a reverent heart is not fearful or mistrustful. Therefore, I need to focus on revering Jesus Christ when I complain about things or I am apprehensive in a discipling time. Furthermore, if I trust (and am not resistent to) my leaders it is because I revere Jesus so I will eagerly engage and never “step-back.” Reverence for Christ is the key to unlocking truly submitting to one another.
The key to reverence is gratitude. Gratitude is born from realizing Christ Jesus died for me so I could be forgiven. Therefore, if I see my own sins I will be grateful. Sadly, when I have forgotten that is when I’ve been the most difficult, critical, and unsubmissive. I am so grateful to God for his mercy expressed through his people who refused to give up on me. You know who you are.
