BIBLICAL SUBMISSION
Pastor Taffi Dollar, senior pastor at the World Changers Church International and wife of Dr. Creflo Dollar took the third morning session and continued from the last sermon where she taught on BIBLICAL EQUALITY AND HEADSHIP where she explained the Greek meaning of the word HEAD in the New Testament which is SOURCE. Taking off from there, she taught on the meaning of Submission from the biblical context.
MEANING OF THE WORD SUBMISSION.
Pastor Taffi explained that ‘Submission’ is a very interesting yet controversial topic to most Christians. According to James 4:6, we resist the devil and he flees from us, when we, first and foremost submit ourselves to God.
The word ‘Submission’ can be dividied into two – ‘Sub’ & ‘Mission’. Sub means to be under and Mission means purpose. So together the word submission means to be under a purpose.
Looking at submission to God as the Bible instructs us to do in the book of James 4:7, it means to be under God’s purpose for our lives, not to compete with him or have and choose our own ideas and purposes for our lives. God doesn’t adjust to us, we adjust to him.
SUBMISSION TO GOD
Pastor Taffi gave an analogy. She explained that just like a submarine that goes underwater on his mission, each member of church is to be under God’s mission in thought and action.
When we get under his will and allow his thoughts change our thinking, emotions and actions then only are we able to resist the devil and have victory over every area of our lives; especially in our relationships, with family, church and life in general. We begin to go from glory to glory, but it all begins with submitting to God.
Let’s look at Jesus, as a good example of someone who was totally submitted to God’s purpose.
According to Phil 2:5(Amplified Version), He (Christ) modelled to us submission to God and people in service, love, humility, subjection where he put his will – secondary – when he operated as a man to fulfill the supreme will of God.
SUBMISSION TO OTHERS
Before we submit to ourselves, we initially have to submit to God, which is usually the first step. When we begin to put the interest of others first instead of ourselves, we model Christ behaviour. We are like Jesus who for our own interests took the penalty of sin upon him so we can have eternal life.
While Christ lived on earth his desire was to serve the needs of others not himself. He taught the people, counselled them, heal every sick person, provided for their needs etc. Jesus was all about people, teaching them God’s word and releasing them from the oppression of the enemy.
SUBMISSION UNDER THE LAW Vs SUBMISSION UNDER GRACE
Submission under the law was harsh, difficult and based on fear. The Old Testament people didn’t have the Holy Spirit who came inside of men after the death of Christ.
Fear was the motivation behind their actions. Under the law God spoke through prophets. So they listened and obeyed out of fear. The instructions God gave to them was through the priests and prophets, not directly to the people.
Submission in the New Testament is by grace given through the Spirit of God. God himself dwells in man through the person of the Holy Spirit to guide, teach and lead us from the inside out.
Submission to God and to one another, in the Old Testament, was out of forceful obedience. In the New Testament, submission to God and to others is through the grace of God through Christ Jesus.
Our body which comprises of many systems is designed to function and flow together. Just the way our natural body is in submission to the head so also the body (i.e. the church) is to be in submission to Jesus Christ who is the head.
Submission is about bearing good fruits. Biblical submission is centered on Christ. It is the nature and character of Christ in each member of the church. When we are in a community bearing good fruits in character and deeds the purpose of God on the earth will begin to be manifested through each of us, while in submission to one another.
SUBMITTING YOURSELVES ONE TO ANOTHER
While reading Eph 5:21, Pastor Taffi explained what “submitting yourselves to one another” is and what it is not.
First of all, submission…
Secondly, it is
Submission is not just limited to women or wives as most people always like to use Eph 5: 22 to explain this.
Actually the verse before this (Eph. 5:21) says to “submit yourself one to another. So submission is not limited to men, women, married, single, boss, employee, parents or children. Everybody in the body of Christ is responsible and has the opportunity to be in submission to one another.
Like Jesus explained in the book of Luke 22:26 we should not seek for the position of authority so we could rule over people but for the purpose of service. Biblical submission is given up your rights and privileges in other to bring blessings to the life of others.
“Submission is not limited to men, women, married, single, boss, employee, parents or children. Everybody in the body of Christ is to be in submission to one another.”
PURPOSE OF SUBMISSION
Finally she defined ‘Biblical Submission’ as the inward agreement with the Spirit of God. Submission under the law was a compliance of the letter under the law. Submission is for the purpose of giving us the best outcome. Submitting yourselves one to another is done for the best outcome, not out of punishment but for the best outcome.
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