The Mystery Of Submission

Every sermon is intended to address a particular challenge or the other. Challenges in mankind have no single solution but as challenges differ so do solutions (1 Cor 10:13).

God faithful to His promises and will not be partial, at all, in His dealings. He has rewards/punishments for every fruit a man bears (1 Chro 28:9; Heb 11:6b).

He is love (1 John 4:8) and he wants us to demonstrate His kind of love towards one another (1 John 4:20-21).

There are several attributes of love, for instance, love in marriage has two main attributes namely submission (Eph 5:22) and honour (1 Pet 3:7). Man is deficient of God's blessings because he is found wanting in commandments of God.

Submission is an attribute of a major commandment of God which is epitome of who God really is.

Submission is defined by the scripture as:

"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king" (1 Pet 2:17) and "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute l to whom tribute l is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (Rom 13:7).

A proverb in Yoruba language (my mother's tongue) says "One layer is not too high, so it is fitted over the surface"; meaning all humans are created equal. But as the proverb portrays God does the fitting over the surface while the other remain below.

The bible makes us to understand that two people born same time are not same as can be seen in Rom 9:10-15, not to talk of people born at different time, days, months, years or places. A day old lion can never be compared with a day old cat, though they both are animals. Families to which one is born also contributes to difference in purpose of existence.

Truly creation is same but purpose differs. Moses came to the world to deliver Israelites from the bondage of another leader who came to same world as scapegoat (Rom 9:17-18). Evidently, purpose of existence differs and this accounts for difference in position and status. Some are born to rule while others are to follow the leaderships.

In ability to submit may be tantamount to transgressing the will of the Creator and this makes man to be likened to the originator (Satan) of insubordination.

Satan's insubordination cost him his divine position and relationship (Ezek 28:13-17). He ceased to submit to his Creator and so he was replaced with supposed submissive mankind 'Adam' (Gen 1:26a). On the contrary man decided to follow the path of the rebel and thus acquired spiritual afflictions because the umbrella of protection of God was taken (Gen 3:1-24).

Man must be restored in order to attain the original nature of image of God: he must learn and be submissive in accordance to the will of the Creator, God.

Modes and Importance of Submission

1) Submission to one another (Eph 5:21). This causes peace, buildup of one another and unity (Prov 16:6-7; Rom 14:19).

2) Submission to the elderly (1 Pet 5:5). The humble shall inherit the earth and the fullness thereof (Psm 24:1; 37:11).

3) Submission to those in authority (Rom 13:1; 1 Pet 2:13-14). Leaders will praise such and promote always (Rom 13:3-4; 1 Pet 2:14).

4) Submission to spiritual leaders (Heb 13:17). Spiritual leaders watch over soul as Shepard cater for his sheep with his life (John 10:11).

5) Submission to spouse (Eph 5:22, wife). Wives are loved, cared for and honoured with great substance (1 Pet 3:7).

6) Submission to parents (Eph 6:1). Children will granted long life and prosperity (Eph 6:3).

7) Submission to God (Heb 5:9; James 4:7). God grants victory over evils and salvation (1 Pet 5:5).

What to do

1) Seek the face of God for mercy and repent of insubordination of any sort.

2) Have faith (Heb 11:6)

3) Ask for Holy Spirit baptism (Luk 11:13; John 6:63).

4) Walk in the truth by obeying commandments of Jesus which include bearing love towards God and all men (John 15:10; 2 John 4). Others (Matth 11:29; 2 Tim 2:15; Matth 22:37-40; Matth 28:18; Matth 28:19; Luk 18:1; Luk 11:13; John 6:50, 56, 58).

5) Pray to recover all losses which resulted from insubordination