"This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome..." (1 John 5:3) Lately, I have been having thoughts about submission. Maybe because our ladies' class studied First Peter not too long ago. Maybe because our pastor is preaching on having a biblical home. Or perhaps it is because of the difficulty I see in my children to submit (those little guys just want to make their own rules... or ignore the rules altogether). But, instead, I'm sad to say, maybe it is because of the difficulty I find in myself to submit (the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, right?).
So, I just wanted to share some concepts on submission that I've learned from a couple of great books recently and hope they help you too. Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee and Touching Godliness Through Submission by K.P. Yohannan
- The controversy of the universe is centered on who shall have the authority, and our conflict with Satan is the direct result of our attributing authority to God.
- The fall of man was due to disobedience to God's authority.
- Our flesh hates and resists submission.
- Salvation is not only receiving the life of God through faith but also maintaining His authority through obedience.
- The greatest of God's commands is that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). And, if we love Him, we will obey Him (John 14:15). So to maintain God's authority, we must be subject to it with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.
- Obedience is absolutely honoring to God for it takes God's will as its center.
- Am I willing to give up my will and surrender unconditionally to the Lord praying, "Your will, God, whatever it may be, is what I want."? For if I am still "in control" of my life, God cannot mold me like the clay in the potter's hand.
- Submission to authority is an eternal principle by which Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is our perfect example.
- God desires that through our submission we demonstrate to the world His eternal purposes.
- Obedience to God includes submission to His delegated authorities, and to rebel against God's represented authority is to rebel against God Himself.
- Without the authority of the head, there can be no unity of the body.
- Authority is not a matter of outside force but of inward revelation.
- Symptoms of a lack of submission to authority:
Do you regularly experience strife and disunity with others?
Do you live with bitterness and anger toward those above you?
Are you quick to correct others without thinking of their feelings?
Are you desperate to be in control of situations?
Do you feel hurt and offended when someone corrects you?
Is it difficult for you to believe and obey the commands of God?
If you are in authority, do you "lord it over others" and cause them pain?
***************************************************************
I love listening to the music from the Passion conferences.
Here is a good one from the 2012 White Flag conference that relates.
No comments:
Post a Comment