Left to ourselves we will assert our will contrary to God. It is the nature of mankind to believe he is in charge and better equipped than anyone else to make life's important decisions. But if we look at the problems of life from God's perspective there is a definite pattern. Every time we violate a biblical principle we reap a problem. And even if we work to eliminate the problem, unless we deal with the core issue, we are merely trading one problem for another. The KEY is to live in such a way as to not hinder the grace of God. God's grace is power. It is mediated to us by prayer, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. It is summed up in Philippians 2:13, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Here is God at work in us giving us the desire as well as the power to do what pleases Him!
The master illustration is in the life of Jesus. He lived in harmony with God because He understood about God's Secret Weapon. Philippians 2:5-11 tells the story. Existing in the "form of God" Jesus had a position in the universe of equality with God. At a point in time Jesus willingly took the "form of a servant." Now we view God in terms of "The Father, " "The Son" and the "Holy Spirit." In this God illustrates a submissive relationship. At no time does the Bible imply The Father and The Son are anything less than equals. But in their relationship to One Another there is submission. The Greek word translated submit (and subject) is hupotasso. This is a term indicating order rather than ability. It is used in a military context to illustrate chain of command. Junior members of a military unit "submit" to senior members.
The biblical idea of submission means "arranging under the authority of another." This is not the life of a doormat! It is a recognition that God has ordained a certain order in the universe and exhibiting a willingness to work in harmony with that order. The significance of accepting this concept cannot be overstated in terms of our spiritual and social health. Many problems are traceable to a violation of this principle.
We need to accept God's direction and not depend on our own. That certainly sounds easy, but it is not; we really have to work on it. That is the only way we can move forward in life and not trade one problem for another.
The master illustration is in the life of Jesus. He lived in harmony with God because He understood about God's Secret Weapon. Philippians 2:5-11 tells the story. Existing in the "form of God" Jesus had a position in the universe of equality with God. At a point in time Jesus willingly took the "form of a servant." Now we view God in terms of "The Father, " "The Son" and the "Holy Spirit." In this God illustrates a submissive relationship. At no time does the Bible imply The Father and The Son are anything less than equals. But in their relationship to One Another there is submission. The Greek word translated submit (and subject) is hupotasso. This is a term indicating order rather than ability. It is used in a military context to illustrate chain of command. Junior members of a military unit "submit" to senior members.
The biblical idea of submission means "arranging under the authority of another." This is not the life of a doormat! It is a recognition that God has ordained a certain order in the universe and exhibiting a willingness to work in harmony with that order. The significance of accepting this concept cannot be overstated in terms of our spiritual and social health. Many problems are traceable to a violation of this principle.
We need to accept God's direction and not depend on our own. That certainly sounds easy, but it is not; we really have to work on it. That is the only way we can move forward in life and not trade one problem for another.
