Submit

You probably know that the word Islam means submission. There have been times when I wondered how Islamists interpret that idea: submission to what, and whom? I looked up the word “submission” on Google and one hit came up with a picture of a woman’s bare back with some form of Arabic writing across her skin, from her shoulders all the way to her waist. There were also trickles of blood striped across the writings where she had been flogged. The idea of the picture was clear: some submit more than others.

The same might be said of Christianity, I suppose, which means “Christ-like.” Many muslims must wonder what Christ is truly like, having been injured by perversions of Christianity for hundreds of years.

I bring these two images up because the concept of submission is so foreign to us and so difficult to embrace as a Christian virtue. Yet, just as love, honesty, fidelity, and loyalty to Christ are our pursuit, so is submission. Submission can be forced, as the picture I mentioned illustrates, but for us it is voluntary: We choose to be subordinate as Christ also chose.

Jesus submitted to the will of the father over his own, when he chose to lay down his life, of his own accord, for the father and for us. Further, Jesus chose to submit to the priests and teachers of the law when he endured a mockery of a trial, the overwhelming pain of his beating and the humiliation of being stripped publically and displayed to all.

Why would anyone put themselves through such traumatic agony if they had a choice? Jesus believed he was submitting to God first.

When submission is only about authority and loss of stature, it is hardly virtuous. But when as Christians, we can overlay our submission to God to our submission in this world we can find greater meaning and virtue.

Ponder the meaning of this verse from Ephesians 5:21, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” What does that mean when you think you are right? When you think someone else is too bossy? How does God redeem our submission to make it virtuous?

Submission

Adele Ahlberg Calhoun describes submission as aligning my will and freedom with God’s will and freedom, believing that God’s will includes freely submitting to each other out of love and reverence for Christ. (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us, p. 118).

The idea of Submission brings different concepts and emotions to mind depending on our experiences. I want to think of submission as a virtue, but I know that it is not always thought of that way. What do you think and feel about submission?

I am posting some passages that relate to submission and I would like you to respond to them. You might also post any references you think may be helpful in studying the spiritual practice of submission.



Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord… Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right... Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord…Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ… And masters, treat your slaves in the same way… (excerpted from Ephesians 5:21-6:9 NIV).



An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less. (John 3:25-30)



Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)



Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:5-9)


May God bless our study of submission.