Chapter
135
Submission
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To whom do we
owe unqualified submission?
"Submit yourselves therefore to God." James 4:7.
Why are we under
obligation to submit to God?
"Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and His Maker, ...I have
made the earth, and created man upon it... There is no God else beside Me; a
just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me. Look unto Me, and be ye saved,
all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else." Isa.
45:11-22.
What constitutes
submission to God?
"Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5.
What will be the
condition of one who is thus submissive to God?
He will be "filled
with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding." Col. 1:9.
What is the will
of God?
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification." 1
Thess. 4:3. "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves likewise with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the
flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time
in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." 1 Peter 4:1, 2.
What is
fulfilled in us when we live not in the flesh?
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:4.
Then what is the
course of one who is submissive to God?
He walks after the Spirit, i.e., brings forth the "fruit of the
Spirit" (Gal. 5:22-24), or in other words, fulfills "the righteousness
of the law," which constitutes the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2.
What should we
bring into subjection to God?
"But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection." 1
Cor. 9:27. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service." Rom. 12:1. "Bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5. "Glorify God in
your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:20.
Which member of
the body requires the greatest exertion, together with the grace of God, to
bring into submission?
"The tongue can no
man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." "If any man
offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole
body." James 3:8, 2.
What is the
prayer of one who is submissive to God?
"Thy will be done." Matt. 6:10.
How was
submission exemplified in the life of Christ?
"He [Jesus] humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death
of the cross." Phil. 2:8. "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet
He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a
sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth." Isa. 53:7.
Read also Matt. 27:26-50.
What is said
about submission to worldly powers and authorities?
"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to
obey magistrates." Titus 3:1.
Why are we
required to do this?
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no
power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God." Rom. 11:1,
2. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, ...for
so is the will of God." 1 Peter 2:13-15.
Does Peter mean
that we should submit to the ordinances of men, even when these are contrary to
the express command of God?
Let Peter himself answer. "We ought to obey God rather than
men." Acts 5:29. "Whether it be right in the sight of God to
hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." Acts 4:19.
What noted
example have we of obedience or submission to God rather than man?
The three worthies in the fiery furnace. Dan. 3.
Then what is
really meant by being subject to worldly rulers and ordinances of men?
"For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou
shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if
there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying;
namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Rom. 13:9.
How do we stand
related to one another with regard to submission?
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of
you, be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility." 1 Peter
5:5.
What seems to be
the reason for this requirement?
Submission cultivates humility, a Christian virtue of high value. It is the
humble to whom God "giveth grace," and whom He will in due time exalt.
1 Peter 5:5, 6.
What should be
the attitude of a wife to her husband?
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands." Col. 3:18.
What is this
submission?
"To be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be
discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands."
Titus 2:4, 5.
Does this
submission permit domination on the part of the husband?
"Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them." Col.
3:19. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church." Eph. 5:25.
How far should a
wife submit to her husband?
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in
the Lord." Col. 3:18.
In what should
children be submissive to parents?
"Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well
pleasing unto the Lord." Col. 3:20.
What is said
about the submission of servants to masters?
"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the
flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart,
fearing God." Col. 3:22.
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