Christ stands everyone on their head when it comes to submission. And when it comes to submission, don’t be fooled, Paul lets no one off of the hook.
We have seen that submission applies to Christ. Think of Christ’s entrance into this world — manger — cow’s stall, poverty, no financial means — He who was rich became poor — no social power — lived life as a servant — died as a criminal — died in submission to our needs — continues to be our Advocate before the Father — continues to intercede — continues to live among us. Paul writes, “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy…” (Ephesians 5:25-26)
Submission applies to the church. For a church to refuse to submit to the authority of Christ would be to deny its very right to exist in the first place. That is the very nature of the church, she submits to Christ. Without that submission she is no longer the church. It is through that very submission to Christ that we become washed, sanctified and cleansed. It is through submission that we become a member of Christ’s Body. To deny that submission would be to deny that we are a part of Christ’s Body.
Submission applies to men as well as women. For a woman to deny submission to her husband would be to deny the very nature of the marriage relationship. For a man to refuse to submit himself to the needs of his wife would be paramount to Christ denying submission to His church or the church denying submission to Christ. It would be like Christ denying His oneness with the church. The woman is to submit to the husband just as the husband is to submit to Christ. Yet, in this relationship where Christ is totally submitted to our needs, we are led full circle to being in subjection to one another through Christ. To fail to submit is to deny Christ. To fail to submit is to deny ourselves the ability to fill our deepest need through submission to one another. It is through this profound relationship that we become the Body of Christ and members of one another.
Submission applies to fathers and children. “Fathers, don’t frustrate your children with no-win scenarios. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (Ephesians 6:4, THE MESSAGE)
Submission applies to slaves (servants) and masters. Paul wrote, “Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real Master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free. Masters, it’s the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.” (Ephesians 6:5-9, THE MESSAGE)
What would this approach to problem solving do for our homes, our congregations and our workplaces?
(JAMES R. DAVIS)