Essence: Submitting to One Another (Ephesians 5:21)

a discussion series from the pages of -
Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”
by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
ISBN 978-0-8010-6451-7

Lesson Focus: Submitting to One Another
(Partnering in the Journey – chapter 12 p.133-143)

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
(Ephesians 5:21 NLT)

and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
(Ephesians 5:21 NASB)

“[Submission] is the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get your own way.” Richard Foster (p. 133)

Is submission an act of obedience?
We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. (2 Corinthians 4:2)

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. (Colossians 1:27 NLT)

We help others be transformed not by getting them to conform to our rules, but by encouraging their dependence on Jesus. (p. 137)

By freeing others from our judgment, our friendships can continue to grow instead of being snatched away from us by disagreements. Remember, God will work with others, even using what we consider to be mistakes to draw them deeper into His life and make them more sensitive to His voice. (p. 138)

Submission is an act of worship.

What about those who have been called into a leadership role?
Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. 18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. (Hebrews 13:17-18 NLT)

Life is too short, and good relationships are too awesome, to waste time trying to fix destructive ones. Loving them does not mean you have to submit to their control. (p. 147)

Wrap Up:  Submitting to one another taps into the flipside of freedom. “You are not free to do something unless you are also free not to.” (p. 140) There’s no trick, no gimmick; through Christ you have the freedom not to impose your way on one another.  We are not here to be religious, we are here to follow a revolution lead by Jesus Christ Himself.