Submission

what it is not and what it is

by Elyse Fitzpatrick

The Character of Christ

"The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God." - Romans 8:7-8 NIV

"Jesus gave them this answer: 'Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'" - John 5:19 NIV

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” - Luke 22:42 NIV

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." - Ephesians 5:21 NIV

What Submission Is Not

Submission is not only for servants or slaves

All Christians, male and female, are called to humbly and voluntarily subject themselves to each other. In every life context, all Christians are admonished to submit themselves to the authorities God place over them:

Submission... is simply a reflection of the beautiful pattern of roles seen in the Trinity. The Son has submitted to the Father throughout all eternity, fulfilling His will, seeking to please Him. 

Submission doesn't mean that you give in to the sinful demands of [the one you are submitting to]

Submission doesn't mean always agreeing with [everything the person you are submitting to] does

[Every human] is both finite and fallen, they make mistakes. [People forget, get distracted, or sometimes] think they're making a great decision and it turns out to be disastrous. 

[in such contexts you can] offer your perspective..., insight..., and respective counsel... If after you have clearly given your perspective and prayerfully presented your point of view, [the person you are submitting to] continues on a course that you disagree with but which isn't sinful, you [may be] obligated to support and obey [that person or organization, depending on the relationship you have]. 

Submission doesn't mean that you put [the person or organization to whom you are under submission]  in the place of Christ

Our primary allegiance should always be God-centered; the worship of our hearts must belong to God alone.  

What Submission Is

Submission to [a person or leadership] flows out of your sincere, faith-filled submission to the Lord

All sinners are filled with self-will and pride—our prideful belief that  our way is the best, united with our distrust in God's love and wisdom...

We all desperately need God's grace. We require His strength, without which we'll fail miserably. But this strength isn't available unless we first humble ourselves by submitting wholeheartedly to His good will. Until we humbly say to God (and mean it), "You're wise, You're loving, You're all-powerful, and Your way is right," we'll never have the power (or desire) to submit to [leadership], and our obedience to them will be lifeless drudgery at best. Before you can embrace the creative, enlightened, and willing submission you've been called to, you must answer one heart-stopping question: Have you been purchased by Christ as His bride? If so, then You're His, and you no longer have the right to choose how we'll live or whose will we will follow. Once this question is genuinely settled, then God will enable us to embrace and grow in submission to [leadership].

Submission is an embracing of the mission and vision of [the leadership you have placed yourself under]

Just as soldiers in an army make the battle plan of their commander their own, so you are to embrace the mission, calling, and vision of [the leadership you have placed yourself under], making it your own. 

Submission is both voluntary and mandatory

...The kind of submission that Christ is looking for from you only comes voluntarily, through trust in God's providential care... Even though our submission is voluntary, it is also mandatory... submission has implications that reach far beyond the borders of our homes [or organizations]. We are acting out a priceless and unique dance when we submit: We're demonstrating before all creation—people, angels, and powers—the outstanding interplay between the members of the Godhead. As the Son submits to the Father, and the Holy Spirit submits to the Father and the Son, so our submission as [servants of the Lord] mirrors the order in the Trinity.