MATTHEW 26 JESUS SUBMITS TO HIS FATHER’S WILL

August 11

MATTHEW 26

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”– Matthew 26:36-46

MATTHEW 26 JESUS SUBMITS TO HIS FATHER’S WILL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord Jesus Christ sampled for us how to submit to God

Despite his divinity and power over things, he succumbed to his Lord

He allowed his body to be sacrificed so that God’s plan was accomplished

He never took matters into his own hands even if he could do so

Therefor, as Jesus’ followers, we ought to surrender to him our lives

Our minds and hearts belong to our heavenly Father who loves us

Obedience and sacrifice are the proofs of your love for your Creator

Without total surrender, you cannot claim that you’re a true believer.

This account is the narration of the last night of Jesus’ agonizing moment in the garden of Gethsemane before the beginning of his passion on the cross. He teaches his disciples to pray and to be with him during his most crucial moment of fear. Yes, this story gives us a picture of the humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Despite his divinity, he was also a full human being who experienced pain and suffering and yet didn’t succumb to his feelings but to the will of his Father. He fulfilled the purpose of his becoming human in order to save mankind from sin. He made sure that his Father’s agenda came into fruition and didn’t get in the way of its fulfillment. Sadly, his disciples were so weak that they were not able to stay awake and share his agony. They also didn’t pray as Jesus asked them to. They succumbed to their nature and followed their inclination towards caring for their own physical rest. We see here what motivated the Lord Jesus to stay connected to God. It was to obey and do the work that he was sent to do here on earth. His mission was to obey and surrender to his Father’s plan of salvation for mankind. Are we able to follow Jesus with his kind of total surrender as his follower?

REFLECTION

·       How can we grow “surrender” muscles as we live and serve our Lord Jesus Christ?

ROMANS 6 BE SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

August 10

ROMANS 6

5 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  – Romans 6:5-23

ROMANS 6 BE SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Before you believed in Jesus Christ, you were a slave of sin

Without the sacrifice of his blood, you will not be free

It is by God’s grace that you were chosen to be one of his own

You are now slaves of righteousness and sin no longer own you

The new life in Christ cuts off your tendency to habitually rebel

You can now see the way that you are being tricked by the devil

You no longer habitually sin but choose what’s true and what’s right

You no longer live for pleasuring yourself but prioritize obeying Christ.

Many people in our world today have no concept of slavery and Paul explains in this account that to be a slave is to submit to someone’s control or rule. Slavery in the bible is not as bad as we think it is because to be a slave of someone meant that you were part of their household. You were clothed, fed and your masters paid your taxes. They were expected to serve their masters faithfully. Although we don’t have masters in our modern world today, we have employers that we work for who pay our wages so we can provide for our families.

Paul talks about a kind of slavery that is spiritual. He is referring to “slavery to sin.” Before we were believers, we catered to our flesh. We chase what we want and fulfill our own longings. Paul explains in this account that when Christ died for us, we are no longer slaves to anything or anyone but slaves to righteousness. We are transformed by the Holy Spirit to pursue what pleases God and not what pleases us or other men. Paul also explains that as a Christian, we are no longer bound by the law but by his grace. It means that our tendencies to seek pleasures for ourselves are changed to seek pleasing God.

REFLECTION

·       How do you know if someone is a slave of righteousness or a slave of sinfulness?

1 CORINTHIANS 11 HEADSHIP & SUBMISSION

August 9

1 CORINTHIANS 11

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wifeis her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but every wifewho prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. – 1 Corinthians 11:1-11

1 CORINTHIANS 11 HEADSHIP & SUBMISSION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When the Lord created man and woman, he had a plan

The husband is the head and the wife is to submit to the man

Therefore, the wife has to be subject to her husband who is the head

Since the husband heads her, he has to honor his wife and protect her

As the man fulfills his vow to cherish his wife, he is submitting to Christ

And as he submits to his Lord Jesus, he also fulfills God’s plan in his life.

In our world today, there is a very vague distinction about the roles of men and women and of leaders and their subjects. Satan has distorted the order that God had originally designed for humankind. After all, the original sin is about questioning authority and insubordination. Because of the effect of the sin of our first parents, we have also allowed those distortions of our roles and responsibilities in life. With the rise of homosexuality and various genders, Satan has propagated such confusion of the hierarchy and order that God has required for humans.

In this letter, Paul spells out the distinctions very clearly and clarifies who the head is and who the subject is who is supposed to submit to his head.  He says that men are subject to Jesus while Christ is subject to God himself. Since the woman is taken out of the man’s ribs, she is to submit to her own husband to honor the clear requirement stipulated by God to his people. So, how come, there are still many Christians who are clueless about how headships and submission to the head are applied in their daily lives. No wonder there is so much confusion in the roles of men and women today. Control is one of the curses that we have inherited from Adam and Eve. We like to take control instead of submitting to the heads that have been designated to us.

REFLECTION

  • What does it mean when you do not have yourself covered by your head according to Paul?

1 PETER 3 SUBMISSION OF WIVES TO THEIR HUSBANDS

August 8

1 PETER 3

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.  – 1 Peter 3:1-6

1 PETER 3 SUBMISSION OF WIVES TO THEIR HUSBANDS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The sin of Eve caused women’s desire to control their husbands

God has called women to succumb to the authority given to them

Man was created by God first, so he is the one given the authority

Woman was made from the rib of man; she is to submit to her husband

A woman’s beauty lies in her inner good and her submission to God’s order

When a woman fails to submit, she’ll experience much chaos and disorder.

In this account, Peter admonishes the women to submit wholeheartedly to their husbands. There is a condition stipulated here in verse 1. It is interesting how the Lord commands women to obey their husbands even if they don’t obey the word. Does this mean that wives can just be ordered and controlled by ungodly husbands? Notice that the end of verse 1 and start of verse 2 says that the conduct of submission and being respectful despite their husband’s unbelief could potentially win them into conversion to faith in God. The command involves no word but conduct. The saying “Action speaks louder than words” could be applied in this case.

Why is it also required of women to focus on inner beauty than externals in verses 3-5? We serve a divine and spiritual God. We don’t worship an earthly and finite God but someone whom we don’t see but is infinite and divine. The beauty that is pleasing to God is the inner spirit that longs to please God. When we focus so much on our external beauty, we become shallow, worldly and materialistic. This hedonistic tendency doesn’t please God. It is a form of vanity and idolatry to focus only on the external looks. That would indicate the absence of spiritual growth and maturity. Verse 4 tells all women that the adornment that God requires of his people is gentleness and a quiet spirit. I struggle with these adornments that God requires. I am still in the process of being changed by the Holy Spirit with regards to having a calm and gentle spirit. Trauma has shaped my personality into a harsh and anxious person. But God’s grace is overflowing in my life and I am slowly recognizing all the sinfulness that I have made a habit of since I was a child where women rule the family.  I’m learning to submit to my husband and be less mistrusting and controlling now.

REFLECTION

  • What do you think of Christian women who strongly argue with husbands at home or in public?

1 CORINTHIANS 14 ORDERLY WORSHIP IS SUBMISSION TO GOD

August 7

1 CORINTHIANS 14

 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. – 1 Corinthians 14:29-40

1 CORINTHIANS 14 ORDERLY WORSHIP IS SUBMISSION TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When serving the Lord your God, you need to succumb to direction

God has a purpose when he designed all things in his creation

In his plan, there is always order and designation of tasks and duties

When you are under an authority, you ought to submit to them fully

To be insubordinate to your leaders would signify a form of defiance

Orderly worship is what God requires and expects from his children

So, do your role with a servant’s heart and love for your Lord

Do not create division and do not conform to the standards of the world.

There are so many churches today that do not have the orderly worship that God requires of his people. Our world is plagued by many false prophets, teachers, preachers who do not submit under the authority of the word of God. According to data compiled by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Cornwell Theological Seminary, there are an estimated 45,000-47,000 Christian denominations globally and this number continues to grow as new independent and regional churches form. How many of these churches follow and submit to the authority of Scripture? How many Christians truly come under the command and instructions of the Lord? Is the Lord the focus of church service or is it their work to perform the best sermons and to entice many other people into their church? Sadly, there are only a few churches who truly apply the word of God. In the book of James, we are told that we need to do the word of God and not just hear it. I’ve had enough of my share of tasting these few false churches that claim to be Christian but do not have orderly worship that God requires. It is more focused on the preachers or the performers trying to sing songs that seemed to be about God but mostly about how they feel about God. The focus is on their “work” not on the requirements and direction of God. In true worship, God is the focus not the people as Paul stipulates in these following verses.

REFLECTION

  • How is having false worship a sign of defiance against the Lord?

ROMANS 13 TO RESIST AUTHORITY IS TO DEFY GOD

August 6

ROMANS 13

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

                                                                                        – Romans 13:1-7

ROMANS 13 TO RESIST AUTHORITY IS TO DEFY GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Where envy thrives, disobedience and conflicts follow

Those who live for their flesh eventually gets in trouble

Because there is obsession for power, they resist authority

They are jealous of those placed by God for them to submit to

They don’t understand that when they resist authorities

They are also defying God since he placed them to watch over them.

The world system has twisted the meaning of authority because many leaders, rulers and heads have corrupted their positions. They have used their roles to abuse their power over their subordinates which were supposed to be the people they needed to serve. Instead, they used such positions to cater to wealth accumulation or in controlling others. Because they do not know God, it would be impossible for them to understand that their positions were given to them so they could serve and take care of the flock or people assigned under their responsibility. They were supposed to be accountable for their leadership positions to meet their people’s needs and keep them safe under their rule or headship.

Paul emphasizes the importance of submitting to all governing authorities that were placed by God to each believer. God is sovereign, so he knows the flaws and strengths of each ruler, head or leader that he has placed over a certain people or nation. He appointed these authorities and chose them so, when we defy or disobey them, we are actually resisting and rebelling against God’s choice and decision. In verse 3, he explains that if we obey and do good, there is no reason for us to be afraid of these rulers because their responsibility is to punish those doing evil. In verse 4, they were cautioned to be warned if they do what is evil since they will be judged and punished for it.  Because they are servants of God, they will execute what is needed to keep the peace in their own territories.

REFLECTION

  • How have these verses changed your attitude towards authorities?

1 PETER 2 BE SUBJECT FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

August 5

1 PETER 2

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperoras supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

                                                                                        – 1 Peter 2:14-19

1 PETER 2 BE SUBJECT FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Servants of the Lord Jesus Christ follow God’s will

They do not defy authorities placed over them

Allowing those people to lead you is honoring to God

He chose them to represent his own authority in this world

Be subject for the Lord’s sake and do not resist your leaders

God’s will for you is to respect and honor authorities given to you.

So many people who do not know God’s sovereignty have a hard time understanding how to obey the law or to be subjected under the authority of leaders and rulers. It is not uncommon to hear people complain and whine about their employers or anyone who has authority over them. You’ll also hear citizens who says things against their prime minister, king or president without truly understanding the authority that was given to them by God. I used to do this too when I was faced with corrupt government officials back in my country of origin. In fact, one of the reasons why I migrated to Canada was my disgust over the corruption of these leaders who probably do not also have an idea that their positions were not to be abused but to be used to serve the country and the people. They have no clue that God has placed them there for God’s own purpose. Not until I became a reformed Christian did I understand that when I say things against the authorities placed over me, I am doing it to God himself and questioning God’s sovereignty and choice of leaders.

In this account, Peter exhorts the believers about the importance of obedience to those whom God has placed over them. Notice that Peter didn’t say to be subject to authorities who are good to you. In fact, in verse 18, it says that we succumb to not only the good but the unjust masters. In other words, what God wants us to do is to honor everyone. Why? This is the perfect manifestation of the love that he wants for us to give one another: unconditional, accepting, enduring and sacrificial love. Peter lays down the reason why we need to do this as believers. It is for the sake of God. If we are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, he is the top priority in our life. He is the one that we need to obey and please.

REFLECTION

·       Why should believers refrain from criticizing politicians and leaders of our nations?

HEBREWS 13 OBEY & SUBMIT TO YOUR LEADERS

August 4

HEBREWS 13

12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us[b] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

                                                                         – Hebrews 13:12-21

HEBREWS 13 OBEY & SUBMIT TO YOUR LEADERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a covenant child of God, you are called to obey your leaders

Follow their lead as they are given to you by God himself

Respect and submit to the authority assigned to you

They are answerable to God as they keep watch over your souls

Do not be insubordinate to them for you will give an account if you do

Honor, respect and serve them as you would do unto the Lord.

Obedience and submission are manifestations of love and service to God. This is why we were given laws by God as part of his covenant with us. Laws and authorities are the ways by which God shows his protection over us and also a test for us to exercise obedience and submission. It is a structure for us to follow so that we can maintain order in the body of Christ. Without leaders and authorities, our lives would be chaotic and disorderly.

Paul stipulates a command that reiterates these verses here as he wrote his letter to the church in Ephesus. In Ephesians 6:5-7, we are told that: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when they are watching, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” So, when we defy those authorities given to us like parents, husbands, elders, employers and other people whom we need to submit to, we are actually rebelling against God himself. Paul gives another reason why believers need to submit to authorities in Romans 13:1-2 because it is God himself who has established such leaders in our lives.

REFLECTION

  • Should we obey leaders even if we don’t agree with their viewpoints? Why or why not?

ROMANS 8 THE WICKED DO NOT SUBMIT TO GOD

August 3

ROMANS 8

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. – Romans 8:1-10

ROMANS 8 THE WICKED DO NOT SUBMIT TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who don’t know and acknowledge God are hostile to him

They do not live according to God’s Spirit but to their own flesh

Their lives are based on worldly and physical standards

They are self-focused and eager to cater to their selfish desires

These wicked people do not submit and cannot please God

Their minds are set on seeking their longings and wants

They are not answerable to anyone but themselves

So, they don’t come under God’s authority at all.

In this account, Paul lays down the difference between a wicked person from a righteous one. The main difference is that those who belong to God submit to him and the Holy Spirit while the unrighteous one does not come under anyone else’s authority. They love and adore themselves too much to be accountable to someone other than themselves. Because they have so much love for the things of the world, they will not be able to hear the Spirit of the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit is given to those who have been chosen by God himself to be followers of Christ. What a lot of people do not understand about being a Christian is that it is never their own choice to believe but God himself did the selection process. When he elected someone to be his own, he gave them his Spirit and the ability to say yes to the path of righteousness. It is the sacrifice of Christ that gave the chosen one of God the gift of hearing the Holy Spirit and the choice to walk in love.

The wicked are described as someone who does not acknowledge God therefore, they cannot follow his laws. They don’t belong to the covenant that God made with Abraham. They won’t be covered by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and will not be able to please God in any circumstance.

REFLECTION

·       Can someone ungodly please God at all? Why or why not?

EPHESIANS 5 SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER

August 2

EPHESIANS 5

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 

                                                                                           – Ephesians 5:18-30

EPHESIANS 5 SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a child of God, we ought to revere our Lord Jesus Christ

We therefore submit to one another to show our obedience

Because we are part of his church, we are members of his body

Failing to honor and respect each other is a lack of love for our brothers

Husbands are called to take authority over their wives and are to love them

Wives are to respect and submit to their husbands in everything

Submitting to one another in love is the only way we show God our love

In submission to one another, we become united in the body of Christ.

Why did Paul stress the importance of submission to one another in this letter to the Ephesians? He wanted the believers to be set apart from the world. As we live in this corrupt world, our desire is to satisfy ourselves and do as we please. Paul reminds every believer that this is not how God’s law of love is based on. God’s law is based on sacrificial love. When we do not become accountable for each other, we are not exercising sacrificial love because we do not place others as a priority. Of course, God must be the ultimate priority in our lives but the concept of submission follows the command of God to love him first and then our neighbors as ourselves. Notice that it didn’t say love God and then yourself and then others. Because of our sinful nature, we tend to make ourselves first than our neighbors. Thus, God commands his people to think of others first rather than their own. If every believer followed this command, there will be no quarrels or envy among the body of Christ, there will be unity and harmony and the law of love will be complete. Then we will be free from the bondage of sin. This is why James talks about the importance of following all of the laws of liberty because if you miss one out, you are disobeying the rest.

REFLECTION

·       Why did God command us to submit to one another as if we are actually submitting to him?