The Discipline of Submission
Luke 9:23-24; Matthew 10:24; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3-7; James 4:6-10
The discipline of submission is another of the disciplines that seems to be so out of touch with the world in which we live. The cry of our culture is that we “deserve” to have our every need met, we should never be in pain, of any kind, and that we should never have to wait. Instant gratification and exaltation of the individual’s rights and desires are societal norms that are never to be questioned. Yet the Scriptures present a much different ideal for those who would be disciples of Jesus Christ and it is expressed in the synonymous terms of surrender and submission. We are not to rise up and demand what is coming to us but in love and humility voluntarily surrender our rights for the good and benefit of others.
The following definition from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia helps us to begin thinking rightly about this important discipline.
The primary meaning of both “subject” and “submit” has to do with subordination, ie. being placed under the control or authority of another. Subordination can be either voluntary or enforced…The most common NT term rendered by “subject” and “submit” is Greek hypatasso. The active voice (usually rendered “subject” or “put in subjection”) means “place under” and denotes an enforced subordination….the situation is different, however, where the middle or passive of hypatasso is used to describe the attitude that Christ has toward God (1 Corinthians 15:28) or that Christians are to have toward God (Hebrews 12:9; James 4:7), toward civil authorities (Romans 13:1, 5; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13), toward church leaders (1 Corinthians 16:16; 1 Peter 5:5), and toward one another in general (Ephesians 5:21)…As many exegetes have observed, such subordination is an action of free agents. It does not involve a breaking of the will or servile submission to another’s rule; rather, the verb “describes a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility and carrying a burden (highlighting mine) (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. IV, 643-644).
It is imperative that we understand, and practice, the voluntary aspect of the discipline of submission if we are going to avoid the abuses that are often associated with this discipline. Submitting to God, practicing mutual submission and submitting in love and humility will all go a long way toward keeping us on the Biblical path of dying to the various expressions of self will and selfishness.
Richard Foster on Submission
Submission is a concept as broad as life itself and a Discipline found throughout Scripture. It raises issues that are deep and difficult: issues of submission to the ways of God, issues of submission to the state, issues of submission to the Christian fellowship, issues of submission in the Christian household and much more. As we hammer out our understanding of these matters, we will always want to hold before us the life and death of Christ as the divine paradigm by which all the verbs of Christian submission are to be conjugated. (Study Guide for Celebration of Discipline, Richard J. Foster)
I said that every Discipline has its corresponding freedom. What freedom corresponds to submission? It is the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get our own way. The obsession to demand that things go the way we want them to go is one of the greatest bondages in human society today. People will spend weeks, months, even years in a perpetual stew because some little thing did not go as they wished. They will fuss and fume. They will get mad about it. They will act as if their very life hangs on the issue. They may even get an ulcer over it.
In the Discipline of submission we are released to drop the matter, to forget it. Frankly, most things in life are not nearly as important as we think they are. Our lives will not come to and end if this or that does not happen.
The biblical teaching on submission focuses primarily on the spirit with which we view other people. Scripture does not attempt to set forth a series of hierarchical relationships but to communicate to us an inner attitude of mutual subordination.
In submission we are at last free to value other people. Their dreams and plans become important to us. We have entered into a new, wonderful, glorious freedom- the freedom to give up our own rights for the good of others. For the first time we can love people unconditionally. We have given up the right to demand that they return our love. No longer do we feel that we have to be treated in a certain way. We rejoice in their successes. We feel genuine sorrow in their failures. It is of little consequence that our plans are frustrated if their plans succeed. We discover that it is far better to serve our neighbor than to have our own way. (The Celebration of Discipline, 111-112)
Seven Acts of Submission
The Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; we yield our body, mind and spirit for his purposes.
The Scriptures; we yield ourselves to first hear the Word, second to receive the Word, and third to obey the Word.
The family; freely and graciously the members of the family make allowances for each other.
Our neighbor; if they are in need we help them. No task is too small, too trifling, for each one is an opportunity to live in submission.
The body of Christ; if there are jobs to be done and tasks to be accomplished, we look at them closely to see if they are God’s invitation to the cross-life.
The world; we make a determination to live as a responsible member of an increasingly irresponsible world.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
In what ways has the discipline of submission been abused?
Are you currently experiencing the freedom of Biblical submission?
Which of the seven acts of submission represents the greatest challenge for you personally?
Chapters 37-50 of Genesis record the life of Joseph, one of the four patriarchs. Prayerfully consider each of these chapters, especially 50:15-21, and reflect on how Joseph’s response to life provides a model for godly submission. How did the events of his life prepare him for God’s chosen time and place for service, and for reconciliation with his brothers?
Take Lord and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will, All I have and call my own. You have given it all to me. To you Lord I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me. (Ignatius of Loyola)
Author
Pastor Bruce is the Executive Director of God's Living Stones. He lives in Omaha, NE, with his wife Barb. They have two adult children.
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