I had an interesting discussion with a friend the other day about the true meaning of submission. When we submit to Christ, what does it really mean? Jesus presents to us an eternity of submission, obediently following the will of his Father, even when he did not want to physically die, “Let this cup pass from me, still not my will but Yours be done.”
Today, we often think of submission as coming to an understanding, and agreement, or negotiating to ‘yes.’ We want to compromise on terms acceptable to both parties. When we proclaim Jesus as Lord at baptism, it is not as equals in a negotiated contractual agreement. We fall at the feet of an all-powerful risen Savior and beg for undeserved mercy and grace. We choose to submit to His authority, and use His game plan for our lives. When immersed, we give another person control of our physical body during the plunge, and trust them to help raise us up out of the water. It is a physical act of submission which also provides a cleansing, being washed clean, forgiven of sins, and purified by the blood of the Lamb.
If our heart is right with God, we are deemed worthy and blessed to receive the Holy Spirit. It is a spiritual submission to God our Creator. We choose to submit to His will and allow the Spirit to guide our lives, our choices, and our direction. Why would we do this? Because wisdom is vindicated by all her children, and we want to choose wisely. It is a wise thing, indeed, to follow the Creator who made all the rules, and is actively working His relationship with His creation. If God is love, and we are made in His image, then we were created to be images of love. For no man has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for another. But are we willing? Let’s go share the love, God’s love, God…
Grace & Peace, Charles.n