Submitting Yourselves...in the Fear of God Ephesians 5:21--21 submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.--People often misunderstand the concept of submitting to another person. It does not mean becoming totally passive. Christ—at whose name every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10)—submitted his will to the Father, and we honor Christ by following his example. When we submit to God, we become more willing to obey his command to submit to others, that is, to subordinate our rights to theirs. In Paul’s day, women, children, and slaves were to submit to the head of the family—slaves would submit until they were freed, male children until they grew up, and women and girls their whole lives. Paul emphasized the equality of all believers in Christ (Galatians 3:28), but he counseled all believers to submit to one another by choice. This kind of mutual submission preserves order and harmony. Submission provides evidence that we have Spirit-controlled relationships, and it requires the Holy Spirit’s guidance and restraint (4:2-3). In the church, the believers should be willing to learn from, serve, give to, or be corrected by others in the fellowship. Such submission can allow growth both individually and corporately as the believers seek to follow Christ. Our motive should be reverence (literally, “fear”) for Christ. We should not treat one another rightly just because it is expected or because we will be well regarded but because one day we must give account to Christ of how we have lived. The New Testament uses the third term for fear (Gr.phobos) both positively and negatively; its meanings include: fear, alarm, struck with terror or awe with a result that is lasting, a life-changing impact. The English word phobia is derived from this term. For example, an early experience with an aggressive dog or a menacing snake can put a healthy fear toward these animals into the hearts of people for the rest of their lives. So it is, in a very positive sense, for those who have been struck with the glory, the holiness, the inexpressible character of Almighty God Himself. When one has truly seen, with the eye of faith, God in His fullness as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, it will produce a lifelong change. This change will result in a proper view of sin; one will recognize the devastating effects of unconfessed sin in the life and the damaging consequences of compromising the truth of Gods Word. The Bible admonishes us, The Lord shall judge His people. It is fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb.10:30-31). We must deal with sin in our lives (Heb.12:5-11; 1 Jn.1:9) before the Lord has to deal with us through His chastening hand. Another application of this kind of fear concerns our relationships with others. Our text today says that we are to submit ourselves one to another in the fear of God. Difficult relationships-whether church, marital, parental, or work related-can be more tolerable when we have the proper kind of fear. How? By our self-sacrificial submission with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ (6:5). A godly fear changes our perspective concerning our relationships with others. “He who, from zone to zone, Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight, In the long way that I must tread alone, Will lead my steps aright.” - William Cullen Bryant, “To a Waterfowl” (1818) Miserable in your circumstances? Feeling nobody understands your heartache or even gives you a passing thought? Skeptics scoffing at your faith stance? A baby boy’s whimpers awakened sympathy in the heart of an Egyptian princess, so you can be sure your helpless cries touch the loving heart of God. He tracks every one of your woes and bottles all your tears. The Wonderful Counselor is ready to hear your dilemmas. The Mighty God is able to handle your desperate situation. The Everlasting Father is unfailing in compassion. The Prince of Peace sets your heart at rest in the eye of life’s storms. The God who moved with Abraham until he found the Promised Land, who laughed with Isaac until he learned to trust, and who wrestled with Jacob until he won a blessing will not break His sacred promise to care for you. Epicurus said “if there are gods, they do not care for you.” False gods of the heart are incapable of caring, but the God who is love cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Aristotle said “it would be eccentric to claim that Zeus loved a human being.” He was right about Zeus, but the God with a heart loves all of us (Psalm 136). So do not wring your hands in worry—fold them in prayer. Trust God to sustain you in sad and dark times, and keep looking for exit signs from burdensome situations. Dramatic rescue will happen at just the right moment. Heaven’s clock is invisible, but it keeps perfect time. Exodus is certain as sunrise. “The Israelites groaned beneath their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their pleas for deliverance rose up to God. God heard their cries and remembered his covenant promise. He looked down on the Israelites and felt deep concern for their welfare.” (Exodus 2:23b-25 NLT) Johnny R. Almond Christian preacher and writer Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity This devotion based on Day 38 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 13:35:21 +0000
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