Submit

Submit; Here is a word that probably sends fear into the heart of the reader. I am sure many wives do not want to hear Ephesians 5:22;  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. It has probably been used by many men to control. But if you notice the verse in front of verse 22 it says:  submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21. If you read this in the King James it uses the word fear in place of reverence.  For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.   Galatians 5:13  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3. This is not the way we are programmed in this society today. We want what we want and we want it now. It is a me first generation and the thought of serving others before our selves just doesn't cut it. I believe wives are much better at this mutual submitting then men are, because they have learned it from raising selfish children.  They have learned to serve others to keep the home running.  Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would show to Christ. Ephesians 6:5  Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Colossians 3:22. Submit to one another, the younger to the elder, bondservants to earthly masters etc. Count others more significant than ourselves. I wonder how many marriages would work better if we did that one thing, considered our wives above ourselves as the weaker vessels. There are many more scriptures that I could go to. It is an attitude we need to develop in our hearts. Christ came to serve and as he washed the disciples feet on the night he was betrayed, he did it for an example to us today.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  John 13:15. It was said to be the lowest job in a household to wash feet. Many people walked in Jesus day almost every where they went and their feet got dirty. None of us are to good to serve others. This serving, this submitting needs to be done as if we are doing it to God. There is a principle here to learn, to develop a heart after God. Jesus should us by example and he said it was for us an example. Then he went to the cross. The one who had no sin, died and gave his life for us, to pay for our sins. Being a Christian is submitting to the will of our father and to live by his word to the best of our ability. On the job, in the home, in the Church, to submit to one another as if we are doing it to God. I tell people on the job, work like you work for God. Submit like you are submitting to God. We don't see much of that in this world today and perhaps that is a big part of what is wrong. We look for my rights, what I am owed etc. instead of looking to serve others. Something to think about.  God bless, LVZ.