Being in submission to God and to one another is a major biblical theme. Jesus is the perfect example of what submission means. In becoming a man, he submitted himself fully to the Father’s will.

Man has always found it difficult to submit himself to another, even to God Almighty. There are traits of submission whereby we may know what it means.

First, here are some passages:

"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. . . submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." (Eph. 5:17, 21-22.)

"Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6:10.)

"And as he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine be done." (Luke 22:41-42.)

"And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Matt. 12:50.)

"For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." (Rom. 10:3.)

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud and gives grace to the humble." (1 Pet. 5:5.)

"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king as supreme, or unto governors." (1 Peter 2:13.)

"God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God." (James 4:6-7.)

"Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you." (Heb. 13:17.)

Here are five tests of submission:

At the heart of submission is obedience. It is the chief ingredient, though not the only one. If we do not obey, we do not submit. Jesus submitted himself to God and obeyed Him.

"Though he were a son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, and being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Heb. 5:8-9.) "And he that sent me is with me. The Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." (John 8:29.) "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Phil. 2:8.) Jesus’ submission to the will of the Father was shown by his obedience. Thus, one test of our submission is whether we obey God.

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46.) "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21.)

The centurion, whose servant was healed by Jesus, made this remarkable statement to Jesus. He said, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. I say to this man, Go and he goeth; Come and he cometh. And to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." (Matt. 8:8-10.)

"And we are witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him." (Acts 5:32.)

"If ye be willing and obedient, you shall eat of the good of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." (Isa. 1:19.)

"Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness." (Rom. 6:16.)

Peter described Christians as "obedient children." (1 Peter 1:14.) If we are not his obedient children, then we are in rebellion against God and lost. One clear test of anyone’s submission is whether one obeys God, or parents, or the laws of the land.

One step beyond obedience is service. If we willingly submit to one another, we will gladly serve one another. Some obey just enough to appear not to be rebellious. A further test of submission is our service. The distinction between obedience and service is found in Ephesians 6.

"Servants be obedient . . . not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free." (Eph. 6:5-8.)

"Know ye not what I have done unto you? Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither is he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." (John 13:12-17.)

Jesus not only washed the disciples feet, but think about how he devoted his entire life to the service of others. He did not live for himself, but denied himself in every way. He did not just obey God, but he served God and man.

"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matt. 20:28.)

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty, only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Gal. 5:13-14.)

Another test of submission is attitude. This goes beyond the outward acts that we do and tells more fully the story of our submission.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men." (Col. 3:23.) "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain (two)." (Matt. 5:41.) This expresses the right kind of attitude. You are willing not only to do what they demanded, but to go twice as far. The heart must be right for one to so behave. There is no feigned obedience here.

When Jesus suffered, he did not regret his sacrifice. He was not bitter toward others. "For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." (1 Peter 2:21-23.) From the cross he said, "Father, forgiven them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34.)

If you really want to see whether children are submissive, watch the attitude with which they obey. Do they grudgingly obey, or readily and lovingly?? What is the attitude of wives toward submitting to their husbands? For many today, the concept of submission is openly mocked.

Paul wrote, "But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God." (1 Cor. 11:3.) Jesus did not take his submission to the Father lightly. He was on an equality with the Father. He was divine. Man and woman are equal as to nature, but not as to role. Every man should take the headship of Christ seriously; so must the woman acknowledge the role of the man as the head.

No one can overturn this order. "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let wives be to their own husbands in everything." (Eph. 5:23-24.)

I believe that this whole relationship is often misunderstood. Some men may think that this means that they can exercise lordship over their wives. Headship, in part, means a much greater degree of responsibility and sacrifice. Think about what Jesus being the head of the church involved. He so loved the church that he died for it. So men should love their wives. If you have ever been "in charge" of some committee to accomplish something, you have an idea of what that means. It means that you are responsible; you will spend more time than anyone else working; you will spend more money than others; you will give of yourself in every way. Children are told to obey their parents, but look at how much we sacrifice for them. Their obedience is their cooperation in our work for their good.

Elders accept a greater degree of responsibility, a greater sacrifice of themselves. Headship is not about telling others what to do. Peter, who was an elder, told them not to lord it over God’s heritage, but be examples to the flock. (1 Pet. 5:3.) Wives, who are grown adults just as men, do not need to be given commandments to obey. They know what family life is all about. They need someone to be responsible and loving and sacrificial. The family and the church needs leader- ship. That is the role of the head.

A fourth test of submission is reverence. We readily acknowledge that God is worthy of our reverence. "He sent redemption unto his people; he hath commanded his covenant forever. Holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Psalm 111:9-10.) This goes beyond even an attitude that we have about submitting; it is a genuine feeling of worship that is expressed to God because of who He is. The church has reverence toward Christ as its head. He is divine; he is the Savior of the body.

Likewise, we should have a wholesome respect for all things ordained of God. We obey the ordinances of men because they are of God. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God and they shall receive to themselves damnation." (Rom. 13:1-2.)

"This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself, and the wife see that she reverence her husband." (Eph. 5:32-33.) Peter wrote, "Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him lord, whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well and are not afraid with any amazement." (1 Peter 3:6.) Reverence means respect shown to one who is the head. David showed great respect for even wicked Saul because he was God’s anointed king of Israel. He would not kill him, even to protect his own life.

"Servants, be obedient them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ." (Eph. 6:5.) Some masters are not worthy of respect, but God is always worthy! This is how we can honor the ordinances of God even when the humans involved are not who they should be. God is the One we honor when we are submissive.

One obvious test of submission is by our words. Parents are not pleased when children "talk back" because it shows a lack of submission.

Listen to the words of Satan and you can tell that he is not in submission to the Lord. In the wilderness, it was Satan who was trying to tell the Lord what to do! Turn these stones into bread. Jump down from the pinnacle of the temple, if you are the Son of God. I will give you the kingdoms of the world and their glory if you will fall down and worship me. (Matt. 4:1-11.) The Lord answers, but Satan takes the lead in tempting and trying to overturn the authority of the Lord.

Sarah was submissive to Abraham; her words were evidence of it. She called him lord. (1 Peter 3:6.) Michael the archangel was careful about what he said even to Satan. He replied, "The Lord rebuke thee." In contrast, the false teachers "despised dominion and spoke evil of dignities." (Jude 8-9.)

The prodigal son demanded his part of the inheritance and left home. We do not know all that he said to his father when he left. But he did not submit to his father’s authority. When he returned, we hear his words of submission. He said, "I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Make me as one of thy hired servants." (Luke 15:18-19.) This indicated his willingness to submit to his father. This is what he had planned to say to his father, but he did not get the last part out of his mouth before his father stopped him. (15:21-22.) The father wanted a son, not a servant. Submission does not mean that you must have a servant’s demeanor. The father told the older son, Thou art ever with me and all that I have is thine. (verse 31.) Paul delighted in calling himself "the servant of Jesus Christ."

What sort of words do you say about dominions and powers ordained of God? Your words will reveal your attitude about submission.

Christians should be careful about what they say about the President and other elected officials. This does not mean that you condone their lifestyle, but it does mean that you honor the power ordained of God. No one could be more ungodly than the emperors of Rome in the first century; neither did Rome have a democracy. Jesus said, Render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar.

We have described by the five tests above the spiritual principles involved in submission. To further clarify the matter, here are some things that submission does not or should not mean.

Almost immediately, some feel inferior if they are told that the Bible teaches that they must submit. But remember that everyone submits to someone, even Jesus our Lord submitted his will to that of the Father. Yet, he was not inferior to the Father. Both are of divine nature.

"Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." (KJV, Phil. 2:6.) "Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped." (NIV, Phil. 2:6.) "Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person. . . ." (Heb. 1:3.) "Who is the image of the invisible God. . . ." (Col. 1:15.)

As fellow human beings, we are told to submit to those in authority around us---governmental powers, those older, elders in churches, parents, etc. Yet, we are equal in nature to those before whom we submit. The husband and wife are equal in nature. Submission does not mean inferiority.

One objection to wives submitting to their own husbands was expressed by Holly G. Miller, Clarity, "Who’s In Charge?" Feb/Mar 2000, 23. She wrote, "It doesn’t make sense. How can women be equal in Christ and unequal in relationships in the church and in marriage?" This writer used some verses making them conflict with the teachings of other passages. She wrote, "It just doesn’t make sense in light of the lessons contained in other verses and other chapters."

Brother Basil Overton once said to our class at IBC, Some teachers who do not like certain verses in the Bible try to "kill" those verses. He then said, Nothing can do away with, or kill, a biblical truth. No mere man has the power to kill a passage of the Bible. Nor any group of men or women. You cannot kill a Bible verse even with another verse! Trying to make a conflict within Scripture is a favorite method of those who do not like what one passage teaches. Instead of trying to harmonize the teaching, they force a conflict. In doing so, we are either saying that God is not the author of Scripture or that He has made a mistake. Which one would Holly G. Miller say??

A favorite passage of many who try to use one passage to kill others is Galatians 3:28. It reads, "There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female. For ye are all one in Christ." Does this mean that the man is not the head of the woman? How can women and men be equal in Christ and unequal in marriage? Simply by understanding that equality in nature and equality in roles are not the same thing. There is no conflict here. Jesus and God are equal in divine nature; yet Jesus submitted himself to the Father in fulfilling his role in our redemption. God grants salvation to the slave just as quickly as to the master; to the Greek as readily as to the Jew; to the woman as to the man. God does not respect the man above the woman in the matter of salvation. Galatians 3:28 is not in conflict with 1 Corinthians 11:3.

The only ones unequal in nature are man and God. And this is the reason why we should submit to the powers that be. All power or authority is from God. (Romans 13:1-2.) We submit to all the ordinances of God because He is God in heaven and we are man on earth. (Eccl. 5:2.) We are inferior to God Almighty!

Children from their early years should be taught to think for themselves and to challenge things that are wrong. Submission does not mean that you drift along in life and not have an opinion. Human beings should never think of themselves as door mats for others to walk on and to dust their feet.

When a man and woman are joined in marriage, the Bible describes this union as becoming one flesh. This does not mean that the man loses his personhood and just follows the will of the wife. It does not mean that the wife loses her individuality. The "one flesh" is not one or the other of the two, but a new union. Even in this oneness, there is not a loss of personhood, or the right to evaluate and think for oneself, or the right to pursue faith and commitment to God and others.

The Bible declares our freedom in Christ, even though He is our Head. The church submits to the Lord in everything. (Eph. 5:24.) Yet, we are amazed in the New Covenant how many things are left up to the wisdom and faith of the disciples. We have even tried to make up rules where the Bible does not. Every time that we do, we fail miserably and cause divisions and confusion. We are not free to sin or to act selfishly. We are free to serve and grow in our faith. So also should wives, children, servants, citizens, and men everywhere be free to grow.

The church was given a voice in selecting the men to serve the Grecian widows in Acts 7. It is interesting that they selected men from among the Greeks. This way the problem was solved. There could be no more murmuring. All of those who lead and serve in the local churches are selected by the church. The minister, elders and deacons are first selected by the church. Even though the Lord is the Head of the church, he allows the church a voice in its work. It is often overwhelming how much freedom and responsibility He gives to us.

Even though the husband is the head of the wife, she is not passive in the operation of the home. Recall the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. Brother Jack Lewis, an Old Testament scholar, wrote that the word translated virtuous by the KJV would be better understood as "the capable woman." The NIV reads, "A wife of noble character who can find?" (Prov. 31:10.) Her description shows her activity and industry. She buys land, plants a vineyard, oversees her household, gives to the poor, etc. Her husband is one of the elders of the city. He is known for his stature in the community and wisdom. She is praised by her children and husband. This woman is not passive, or voiceless, or unappreciated. She is a co-worker with her husband; he trusts her. This woman fulfills the meaning of "help-meet" from the conversation when Eve was created.