Paul
writes in his letter to the Ephesian church that they must, “Submit to one another
out of reverence for Christ.” 5:21 Paul
knows that Jesus, God’s son submitted to his father’s will. A respect that Jesus gives to God for being
his father and the place that he holds.
Likewise, Paul asks us to submit to one another, just as we as
Christians submit to Christ’s will.
In
the Bible we read that Jesus was astounded with a particular Centurion when his
servant expressed to Jesus the Centurion’s faith in Matthew 8:5-13. The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you
come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority,
with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one,
‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When
Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell
you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
Submission is not being a door mat, nor
is it accepting
It was once told to a son by a father, “Son,
even though you do not accept the view that person has taken, we still must
respect the station they are in.” The
father being wise was telling his son that he could hold different beliefs, but
he must always respect the authority of the position that the other holds in
society. When we treat others with
esteem and respect, they in turn will find it easier to do so with us.
When growing up, a child watches his
father’s every move. The son sees more
than he hears, especially when the dad is not following his own dictates. Eventually the son will do the same as the
father, whether for good or for ill, so let our actions then speak the loudest,
and let them be in alignment with the scripture.
