winning submission
July 8, 2009
Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good (v.1).
READ: Titus 3:1-8
In 2008, a rising-star runner from Jamaica set world records in each of his events at the Beijing Summer Olympics. Having already secured two gold medals, Usain Bolt knew what it would take to win his third and final event—the men’s 4 x 100 meters relay. Bolt wanted to run the first leg and “lay the hammer down from the start.” The coaches, however, saw it differently. Choosing to submit to their authority, Bolt ran the third leg. Doing so, he not only secured the gold for his team, but he added another world record to his impressive résumé.
Defined as the “surrender of the person and power to the control or government of another,” submission isn’t a natural inclination for most people. Believing they know best, they chafe against doing anything that doesn’t fit with their feelings (see Titus 3:3). The litmus test for submission as a believer in Jesus, however, is not whether we agree with what is being asked of us, but if it lines up with God’s Word.
Sadly, in the church today, we have sometimes spiritualized our disobedience to Scripture. Offended by leadership’s decisions, we move elsewhere and justify our decision by claiming obedience to the Lord’s leading. We may also gloss over our lack of respect for authority in the workplace (Ephesians 6:5-6), as if being “led by the Spirit” somehow excuses our disrespect. Titus 3:1 says, “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.”
Scripture plainly speaks against trusting in the strength of human wisdom (Proverbs 21:30; 1 Corinthians 2:5). The nonnegotiable truth, however, is that God establishes order, and He works in ways we may not expect. Submission to authority begins with real trust in God and His Word (Psalm 56:10-11).
—Regina Franklin
What is keeping you from respecting leaders? What is the difference between obedience and submission?
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it-
RSS Feed
Related
ODJ: risky business
September 14, 2010 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour (v.14). READ: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 A recent study by the US-based Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reveals that texting while driving is risky business. The study concluded that the risk of being in a collision is 23 times greater for truck drivers who text. The Institute’s [...]
ODJ: my friends and i
September 8, 2010 Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself (v.3). READ: 1 Samuel 18 John Chrysostom wrote: “Such is friendship, that through it we love places and seasons; for as . . . flowers drop their sweet leaves on the ground around them, so friends impart [...]
ODJ: human hybrids?
August 8, 2010 Then God said, “Let Us make human beings in Our image, to be like Us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth” (v.26). READ: Genesis 1:21-28 The idea of creatures half-human half-animal has been reserved for fables, [...]
ODJ: all the time
March 6, 2011 Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me (v.10). READ: Psalm 139:1-10 When my friend Ashley’s remarkable parents, Dr. and Mrs. Evan Zeiger, died in a plane crash one year ago today, she wrote a message so beautiful it was circulated around the world. At the heart of her letter were [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米