Establishing Foundations: Submission

Submission seems to be a hard thing for many believers to handle. I believe this is due to two things, rebellion and not seeing the benefit. Submit means = to resist no longer, but to give way, to yield to authority. We cannot truly be submitted to God without being submitted to those who have been placed over us by Him. Another way of putting it is: your submission to God is directly reflected by your submission to man.

The Bible says we are to submit to those over us as they look after our souls. Heb. 13:7. This is not for the leader's profit but for yours! Leaders have to give an account for how they have overseen the Bride of Christ. True submission is when you have to do something you disagree with. That is when the true test comes to see if the right attitude of joyfulness and willingness of heart are maintained. Lack of submission starts out by gossip, back biting, complaining, etc. This form of rebellion continues until a person finds, convinces or manipulates others into their opinion over the leadership of the church.

Just how bad can this get for those involved? In Numbers 16 we see Korah & friends not submitting to Moses and rising up against him. The outcome of this is tragic. The ground opened and literally swallowed up all associated with this outward rebellion. Unsubmitted or rebellious people in a church have their own agenda and are not concerned about the body! Unsubmitted people are nothing but ongoing problems for Pastors and take much time. Pastors are looking for true submission as qualifications for leadership. Someone who is unsubmitted disqualifies himself or herself from any form of leadership.

Jesus is the clearest and best example of submission. He followed the Fathers will over His own (Heb. 2: 9,10). This type of submission releases full authority and power to operate in a believer's life. Rom. 13:1-2 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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.