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SUBMISSION                                    Study No.6.

The whole of His creation reveals God as a God of order.  All that
He has made moves together in perfect harmony, in obedience to His
will.  But man chose to submit to Satan instead of God (Genesis
3), and is now in rebellion against the laws and ways of God.  He
finds within his very nature the desire always to go his own way
and govern his own life.  This is what sin is. (Isaiah 53:6).

However, in the Christian life there is a basic principle of
submission which is totally opposed to this spirit of the world.
God is at work in the lives of His children to free us completely
from all rebellion, and fill us with His nature (2 Peter 1:4) -
for even within the Godhead there is submission one to another.
(Read John 5:30; 12:49; 16:7b, 13.) Jesus Himself is our perfect
example of a life of total obedience to the will of the Father.
(Philippians 2:5-9).

Submission is more than just an outward obedience (doing as we are
told), but an attitude of heart that accepts without reservation
or reaction the wishes of another.  It is not an attitude of
resignation to something that on occasions we won't like, but a
positive attitude of faith that God will honour our obedience.
Nor do we lose the opportunity to express our own (renewed) minds.
Mature leadership will listen to and weigh up the opinions and
suggestions of members of the church or family and provide ready
access for genuine questions while at the same time they make
confident decisions because of their relationship with God.

Prayer is an integral part of submission: we submit to the
authority that God has placed over us - in the church, in the
home, in the world - but we pray earnestly for those in authority
so that God can guide them to make the right decisions concerning
our lives.

SUBMISSION FIRST TO GOD.

      "Submit yourselves therefore to God . . ." James 4:7.

Accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour is the beginning of a day by day
walk of submission to His Lordship.  The only place of true
"safety" (or "salvation") is under His protection in complete
obedience to His will.  He deals with us as a perfect, loving
Father, showing us the way we should go, and correcting us when we
fail, training us to be trustworthy disciplined sons of His
kingdom.  Read Hebrews 12:5-10.  God has also established human
authorities over us so that this principle of submission can
operate in our daily lives.

SUBMISSION IN THE FAMILY,

1.    The Man Is Head under Christ.

      "But I want you to know and realize that Christ Is the head
      of every man, the head of the woman Is her husband, and the
      head of Christ is God . . ." 1 Corinthians 11:3. (LB)

The man Is the head or authority in every family under God.  He
will have the same measure of authority in his home, as the
measure of his own submission and obedience to Christ.  He is
responsible for:
      a.    his family's spiritual and material welfare; 1 Timothy
            5:8,
      b.    bringing their needs before God In prayer;
      c.    bringing God's word back to them;
      d.    loving his wife, just as Christ loves the Church;
            Ephesians 5:25-28; 1 Peter 3:7.
      e.    disciplining his children, and training them according
            to God's way.  Genesis 18:19; Proverbs 22:6, 1 Timothy
            3:4-5.


2.    The Wife Submits to her Husband.

      "Wives, be subject to your husbands - subordinate and adapt
      yourselves to him - as is right, fitting, and your proper
      duty in the Lord." Colossians 3:1 8 (Amp ) Read Ephesians
      5:33b; 1 Peter 3:1-6.

The home is meant as a place of refuge and peace from the
pressures of the world.  The wife's ministry is to be the
homebuilder and her husband's helper in all he does.  As such, she
is to adapt herself to his ways and desires, allowing him to
protect, guide and care for her.
This does not mean inferiority.  God makes husband and wife one
flesh, and one part cannot be of less worth than the other.
(Genesis 2:24; Galatians 3:28).  But just as Jesus was equal to
the Father and yet submitted Himself to His will, God calls on the
wife to submit herself to her husband, for that is the way He
establishes peace and unity in the home.

3.    Children to Parents.

      "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."
      Ephesians 6:1.  Read Exodus 20:12; Colossians 3:20.

A child does not have the experience, strength or maturity to make
decisions and choices on his own.  He must look to his parents to
give him the discipline, direction and security that he needs.
Through obedience to parents, children are taught to obey and
follow the will of God, and gain self-discipline in their lives
which matures them and prepares them for adulthood.  Read
Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 29:15.

SUBMISSION IN THE CHURCH.

Each one of us must be committed to a local church, where God
desires us to grow under the care and authority of His
"shepherds", and in fellowship with other Christians.  Submission
is vital to the proper functioning of the Church.

1.    To One Another.  "All of you, be subject to one another, and
      be clothed with humility." 1 Peter 5:5.  This involves being considerate
      of one another and being concerned for one another's needs.  Read
      Ephesians 5:21; Romans 12:1 0; Philippians 2:2-5.

2.    To the Ministry.  "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit
      yourselves; for they watch over your souls." Hebrews 13:17.  Read 1
      Corinthians 16:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.

      God has set ministries (e.g. pastors, priests) in the whole Body of
      Christ and in the local church to equip - and perfect His people
      (Ephesians 4:11-13).  They must answer to God for our spiritual lives,
      but we are responsible for our attitude of submission to their
      authority.  This not only includes obedience, but love, support,
      respect, loyalty and trust that they will hear God's voice and receive
      His wisdom in ministering to the people.

3.    Ministries to other Ministries.  God does not desire His workmen to be
      independent in the Body of Christ, but that each have such a
      relationship of trust and submission to one another that with love they
      may bring and receive correction and advice when needed, and together
      seek God for His direction concerning His Church in their locality.
      Read Galatians 2:1-2; 11-14; Acts 15:1-35.

SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITIES IN THE WORLD.

      1 .   Employers.

      "You slaves must always obey your earthly masters, not only trying
      to please them when they are watching you but all the time; obey
      them willingly because of your love for the Lord and because you
      want to please Him." Colossians 3:22 (LB).

      2.    Government.

      "Obey the government, for God is the  one  who  has  put  it  there....
      So  those  who  refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey
      God. . ." Romans 13:1,2(LB).  Read Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17.

The concept of government comes directly from God, He is the one who places
civil authority over us, as a "terror ... to bad behaviour" (Romans 13:3 Amp.).
Government, in all its forms, is an instrument of righteousness, and it is to
God's authority, and God's righteousness that we are really submitting.  In
cases where obedience to civil law means disobedience to God, it is God we
obey.  But at all times He is desiring that we have a respectful, submissive
heart, and that we constantly pray for our government.  Read Acts 4:18-20;
23:1-5; 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

THE END