​ SUBMISSION

Ever heard of that word? Maybe you have. One of the first scriptural references that may come to mind is Ephesians 5:22 (NKJV): “Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord…” Ok, SUBMIT ….. SUBMISSION. “Lord, I love You so much so I’m going to do it” But do we? Do we merely obey and not submit (with our whole hearts)? Do we confuse the two and when we think we are submitting, we are simply being obedient because the bible instructs us to?

Can I be honest? Submission is something that I’m still adjusting with, to this day. We exist in an era where everything stems or leads to independence- especially for women. Now more than ever, the presence of feminists are on the rise- understandably but not agreeably so- as the persistent stripping of manhood from our males and their places in the homes, have pushed women to the brink of becoming both man and woman especially/ specifically in the family.

However without straying any further, submission is what I consider as a beautiful gift from God; a desire that He so longs for us to live out, that we may experience the fullness of His love and His glory. Still not convinced? Take a look at these scriptures following that directly or indirectly relate and its binding promises (where applicable):

James 4:7

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Romans 8:7

Ephesians 5:21, 24

Ephesians 6:5-8

1 Peter 2:13

1 Peter 5:5-6

1 Corinthians 15:28

Romans 13:1

The supreme example of submission is of course our LORD Jesus Christ, who in all humility died that we may dies that we may live and be reunited to God, our places in heaven established and ultimately- His ascension and exaltation being seated at the right hand of the Father. Did Jesus encounter difficulty or questioned/doubted when He was asked to walk in submission? I certainly believe so. Remember when He prayed to God: “(And He was withdrawn from about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying) ‘Father if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will but Yours, be done.’” (Luke 22:41-42 NKJV). The MSG states it differently but quite interestingly a deeper perspective (for this topic’s sake): “Father remove this cup from Me. But please, not what I want. WHAT DO YOU WANT?” Wow! That is true submission here. But it does not stop here. He received God’s gentle nudge (a gift for that time): “Then an angel appeared to His from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly…” (Luke 22:43-44 NKJV).

What led to His submission and humility? The answer could not have been any clearer: LOVE. And love being the greatest gift (1 Corinthians 13), overcoming a multitude of sin and representing God’s epitome of the meaning of the word itself through the sacrificial lamb Himself- Christ Jesus. So in essence, I believe the revelation behind submission is love. If our love for God is true and pure, it is surely to be tested, in order to release the richest and most valuable oil of anointing and power that is within. Quite simply if we:

            

            LOVE _God è  _{we will} HUMBLE _ourselves  è     _{to the point of} SURRENDER è  _{and allow ourselves to be} SUBMITTED _and SUBJECTED _to HIS WILL

Submission breeds peace and stability. SUBMISSION breeds grounds for respect in the home and our lives. Most importantly, submission breeds grounds for God to move freely and fully on our behalf (His children, His royal priesthood, His generation, His light bearers, His reflectors/ mirrors her on earth).

In the end, we shall be glorified with Christ- for we sought to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh (thereby defying the works of darkness and crucifying the flesh).

--- PRAYER ----

Father, teach me in every way to be submissive unto You, thereby submitting to authority and soon, my husband… that You have divinely placed over me. I desire not to be religious in obeying Your instruction for outward rewards or recognition, but I desire to have deeper companionship with You by allowing You to mold me and break me inwardly that like David, You may see me as a woman after Your own heart- always thirsty for Your love and bearing Your light and ways. Oh! What a wonder it is to behold Your face in the beauty of holiness and to love with Your everlasting love! Thank You Father for breaking this vessel to pour out Your greatness which flows beginning now in Jesus' name!

I hereby close with a key scripture that summarizes altogether Christ's decision to submit, what He had to endure and His subsequent reward from God. Be encouraged and of good cheer!

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 5-11)