To whom should we submit?
(Philippians 2:2-8; James 4:7; 1 Peter 4:12-14) Blog Sep. 11-17, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: When Christians suffer, they are to rejoice in hope, knowing that their affliction is but for a moment and that a far more exceeding glory awaits them. As seeing the invisible, they praise God before being delivered and appreciate his tender care during their trials. When they are tried, they will come forth with increased faith, perfected characters, and a closer bond to Jesus if they patiently endure to the end.
Submission
1. What does the word “submit” mean? Submit means to yield to the authority of another, & thus to obey the one to whom we submit (Psa. 18:44; Heb. 13:17).
2. What does submission not mean? Submission does not mean inaction or passivity (John 15:14).
3. What Old Testament woman did God tell to return and submit to her mistress? God told Hagar to return and submit to Sarah who had been harshly treating her (Gen. 16:9).
4. Who did Peter say should submit to harsh masters? Peter told employees that for Christ’s sake they should submit to their harsh masters (1 Pet. 2:18-20).
5. To whom did Paul say that wives should submit? Paul said that wives should submit to their own husbands (Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18).
6. To whom do Peter and Paul say that we all should submit? Peter & Paul say that we all should submit to one another & to our leaders in the church (Eph. 5:21; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5).
7. To whom is the church to submit? The church is to submit to Jesus (Eph. 5:24; Jam. 4:7).
8. To whom did Jesus submit? Jesus submitted to Joseph & Mary & to his Father in heaven (Luke 2:51; 8:14).
9. To what ordinances are Christians not subject? Christians are not subject to the ordinances of the Law of Moses (Acts 15:10; Col. 2:14, 20).
The Difficulty of Submission
10. Why is submission to God so difficult for human beings? By nature, we are at enmity with God (Rom. 8:7).
11. Since Christians are born-again “servants of righteousness,” will they need to battle against their natural inclinations? Yes, even born-again Christians need to mortify the deeds of the body & resist the devil with God’s help for while sin does not reign in their lives, it does remain (Rom. 6:12-19; 8:12-13; Jam. 4:7).
12. What is the primary source of temptations that Christians must resist? The primary source of temptations for Christians is their own heart (Matt. 15:19; Jam. 1:14).
13. How often did Paul have to mortify his natural desires? Paul had to daily mortify his natural desires (1 Cor. 15:31).
14. How did Jesus resist his natural desires? Jesus prayed that not his will, but God’s will be done (Matt. 26:42).
15. What must we do if we are to submit to fellow church members? We must humble ourselves (Phil. 2:2-5).
16. What will help us humble ourselves? Observing the mercies of God to us & the example of Jesus will help us humble ourselves (Rom. 12:1-3; Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Pet. 2:21-22).
17. What Old Testament prophet tried to avoid suffering by not submitting to the will of God? Jonah (Jon. 1:2-3).
The Results of Submission
18. What will be the result of submitting to one another in the church? Unity (Phil. 2:2).
19. What will be the result of employees submitting to their harsh masters? God will be pleased & accept this as true Christian living (1 Pet. 2:18-21).
20. What will be the result of submitting to and remaining in the fiery trials that come to Christians? Christians who partake of Christ’s sufferings will receive exceeding joy & glory (1 Pet. 4:12-14; 5:1).
21. What did God promise Hagar if she returned to serving Sarah? God promised to exceedingly multiply Hagar’s descendants (Gen. 16:10).
22. How can we know God’s will so we can submit ourselves to it? If we seek to obey God trusting in him with all our heart & not trusting our own understanding, he will make his will clear to us (Prov. 3:5-6).