Well today, we are looking at the first of nine attributes. Today’s attribute is – Submits to Authority. I believe that Jesus Christ was teaching the attributes during his life, as he walked this earth. That he was trying to help, us to understand – as a man – what it means to be a true man of God. Through the things that Jesus both did himself, and then commanded us to do – we can see these attributes. We can see these attributes, as they give life to really who we are called to become.
In this specific instance, we know that Jesus both embraced his submission to authority, and encouraged us to do the same. John 6, verse 38 says, “For I,” that’s Jesus. “Have come down from heaven – not to do my own will, but the will of the one who sent me.” In other words, Jesus was very submissive to authority. We can see this in numerous other verses. One of the most famous is Philippians 2.
Also, we will see that Jesus Christ calls us to do the same. John 15, verse 14 says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” In other words, He wants us to mutually submit to his authority as He submits to his father. So for today, I’d like to read to you attribute number 1. Attribute 1 again, submits to authority.
“A man can submit to authority. Submission is an attitude that results from a mindset. The man who excels at this understands that he cannot self-govern, and needs to be governed. Therefore he gives up his will to a greater authority that is objective to his own. While many men will run from authority, the only winners are the ones who give the authority of Jesus Christ. To effectively build this attitude, we need a changed mindset. One that denies self, embraces suffering, and is subordinate in identity to God."
Well, gentlemen, I want to dive into this discussion just a little bit. Because let’s be honest – we as men typically run from authority. We run from it. And there are all kinds of reasons that we run from authority. This is where we begin our life as men. From running from it. Because we don’t like control. Because it appears to be easier. Maybe because we’re arrogant and prideful? Maybe because we don’t like accountability? Maybe because we want attention – we’ve refused to submit to authority? Maybe we’re just too independent?
And you can name all kinds of reasons. They’re different for every man, based upon his unique temptations. That we reject, run from, rebel against Gods’ authority, or just authority in general. Sometimes this has to do with the type of authority that we report to. And in many instances, because of our lack of trust of that authority – or maybe because of the lack of character in that authority, we choose to run from it.
And we have all been hurt from that, and by that in our lives. But we must say that on the other hand, there are many benefits that come from authority. Many benefits. It’s very honoring to God when we submit to authority. It breeds peace and trust and genuine freedom. It models good behavior for others. It puts us in the place of the student. Where we can actively and aggressively learn.
And the beauty of this begins to transform the person that we are when we can truly submit to authority. Because there’s a transformation that we go through. And in the end, when we submit to what is true and pure and honorable, and we submit to God as the ultimate authority, this breeds blessings in our life when we face situations or trials that are challenging.
We view them differently, and it gives us a sense of freedom, and it helps us to let go of being concerned. It blesses us with the ability to be joyful in difficulty. It blesses us with trust and faith in challenges. And there are so many blessings. While it may look more comfortable to reject and run and rebel against authority, it is much easier to subject ourselves to it and to submit to reasonable authority in our lives.
There are some rare exceptions though. Times when we should not submit to authority. And those are few and far between. But they do happen in our life. We see them in the life of Daniel, who – by the way – subjected himself to foreign empires. And was taken in by God’s sovereignty underneath the oppression of– Of a couple of oppressive empires. And we know that Daniel stood up for what he believed in. In a couple of instances, this led to great risk for him.
We knew we know that there are times that we should not submit ourselves to authority that will force us to live – counter the principles of God. And Daniel stood up for his beliefs at significant risk. He welcomed a lion’s den. He embraced being obedient to God and submitting to God’s authority over the authority of the land. And God rescued him from that. Because God’s authority is always perfect. But guys, those are few and far between. Few and far between – yet they’re amazing moments, when we stand up for what is right – and what we believe. But they come at significant cost.
Today I want to read from Romans chapter 13 verses 1 through 7. These are words written by Paul, who was writing to Roman Christians who were living under Roman rule, Roman Empire. And even though there was considerable peace in the land during most of the length of the Roman Empire, we also know that Christians lived under deep oppression at times.
And so Paul is instructing us on how to live underneath the authority of the government. He says this. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority, except God and those that have – that exist, have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resist what God has appointed – and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who was in authority?”
“Then do what is good, and you will receive His approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid – for he does not bear this sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this, you also pay taxes – for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed them. Taxes to them, taxes are owed. Revenue to them, revenue is owed. Respect to whom respect is owed. Honor to whom honor is owed.”
Now I love these words by Paul because I think Paul is teaching us a reverence for divine authority. At the same time that he is showing us reverence for the lower authorities. In the Bible – we know of 3 lower structures for order in life, all that God instituted. One is government, two is family, and three is the church. Each one of these initiated by God. And God governs them. God gives authority in them and through them.
And at times we live under oppressive rule. And at times we live under – let’s say peaceful rule. We are blessed in this country to live under a peaceful rule. And even though we may not agree with every law of the land, God wants us to submit to it. Because He, He has instituted it. And through it, though it – he administers what is right and what is just – and punishment for what is wrong. And we can trust him in that.
And therefore in those moments that we feel that by God’s word we should not submit to that authority, God will deem it just. And he will rescue it. But those are few and far between. Because the impulse that Paul’s trying to teach us here, and the impulse that Jesus wants to show us, and the impulse that Jesus models for us, is one of submission to authority. We don’t need to understand how to rebel and run and reject authority. We already know how to do that. What we need to learn to do, is to learn how to submit to authority.
So how do we do this? Well, I believe we have to develop a mindset of submission to authority. You see, submission to authority is an attitude that is demonstrated through our behaviors. Sometimes we tend to focus too much on the behaviors. Behaviors are actions of obedient submission. It’s about an attitude, an inner heart, a motivation.
To develop this, we are going to have to embrace a whole new mindset. And Jesus instructed us on how to do this – actually in the Gospel of Matthew, in a single verse. Then Jesus told his disciples, Matthew 16, verse 24. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Three things. If anybody would come after me, submit to me – let him, number one – deny himself, two – take up his cross, and then three – follow me.
So here are 3 mindsets that I believe will help us to develop an attitude of submission. Mindset 1 – self-denial, self-denial. As men, we prefer self-gratification when it comes to anything. Possessions, positions, and the pleasures of this life, right? If you just couple all these things with the ease, efficiency, and expediency by which they’re delivered – you will conclude that we primarily and mostly only self-gratify, right?
To embrace submission to authority, we must exchange our mindset of self-gratification, for one of self-denial. We must deny self. We do this by consciously abstaining from self-indulging activities and behaviors. In the Bible, this activity is called fasting. And what’s so beautiful about fasting is – you can fast from anything. You can fast from food; you can fast from media. You can fast from negativity. You can fast from all kinds of things. It would give you life, and teach you not to gratify the self.
Manhood mindset 2. Mindset 2 – missional suffering. As we submit to authority, Jesus requires that we not only lay things down, right? Deny self. But also pick something up. And you know what it is? We get to pick up our cross. But we should not understand our cross is suffering from the petty issues of life, like, “Our car broke down last week,” or, “A remodel in our home is taking too long.” Or, “Our kids won’t listen.” Or, “I didn’t get my bonus at the end of the year,” right?
The suffering that Jesus is talking about is worlds apart. It’s suffering for the mission of Christ, not our petty issues. And with this mindset, we suffer from being honest, right? We suffer for standing up for injustice. We suffer for being obedient to Jesus Christ. And we activate this mindset by daily living a mission-centric life. By living on mission with Jesus Christ, right?
As Jesus says in Matthew 28, “All authority has been given to me on heaven and earth.” And then he says to us, “Go and make disciples. Go and live on mission,” right? And we subject ourselves to that authority by living on mission. And in suffering for living on that mission.
Manhood mindset 3 – subordinate identity. The man who submits views himself as subordinate to the authority of Jesus Christ. Jesus, His supreme leader, is His leader. By nature, Jesus’ position changes our position – which results in a transformation of our identity. We take on a new title, and a new position – and gentlemen this is not easy for us because we spend an entire lifetime nurturing on earthly identity – based on the men that we think we want to be, right?
For this reason, the Apostle Paul often referred to himself as a slave or a servant of Jesus Christ. You know what? I think we would be well served to begin every day with the adage, “Slave of Christ.” Vince Miller, slave, and servant of my master, Jesus Christ.
Well, there you have it. The mindset of submission to authority. Attribute 1 – Submit to Authority. And how do we do that? Matthew 16:24. "Let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me – through self-denial, missional suffering, and a subordinate identity.”
Gentlemen, with that I would challenge you this week to consider what it is that you can do to build a heart and an attitude of submission into your life. Take some action in some way. Maybe it’s fasting from an activity? Maybe it’s daily living more mission-centric? Maybe it’s beginning every day with the adage, “Slave of Christ.” But do something, right? Do something.
