#19 Submit to One Another pt 2

Pastors/Elders to Other Members of Christ’s Body

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock ().

Christians in General to Pastors/Elders

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching ().

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you ().

Younger Men to Older Men

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. . . . Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time ().

Husbands to Wives

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. . . . Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself (, ).

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them ().

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers ().

The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. A wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, a husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife ().

Wives to Their Husbands

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. . . . Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything ().

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord ().

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God ().

Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight ().

Parents to Children

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord ().

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged ().

Children to Parents

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” ().

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord ().

Masters (Employers) to Servants (Employees)

And masters, treat your slaves the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him ().

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven ().

Servants (Employees) to Masters (Employers)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free (; see also ).

Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh ().

Christians to Government Officials

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. . . . Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. . . . Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor (, , ).

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king ().

Practical Steps for Mutual Submission

Step #1

Mutual submission must begin with the leadership of the church.

What Paul was teaching must be modeled before all other members of the local body. If there is contention and lack of harmony in the pastoral staff and among elders and deacons, it will become obvious to all other members of the local Christian family. Just as tension between a husband and wife cannot be hidden from children, so lack of oneness among leaders of a church cannot be hidden from the rest of the congregation.

The converse is also true. A group of leaders who are truly one in Christ becomes a dynamic example for those for whom they are responsible. The love and unity they experience and demonstrate at the leadership level will filter through the whole church.

Step #2

All believers must clearly understand the teaching of Scripture regarding the subject of submission.

This is not only a directive for wives, children, and employees—but for all members of Christ’s body. We must realize that it is possible for husbands to submit to their wives without giving up their headship; for elders to submit to others in Christ’s body without giving up their position of authority; that parents can listen to the children’s viewpoint without giving up parental status; for employers to give employees careful consideration without losing respect. The key is for all Christians to develop the mind of Christ, to be willing to lose their lives in order to find them again.

Step #3

Meditate on the Scriptures we looked at earlier that teach submission and obedience to others.

There is a variety of relationships in the context of each of the directives we looked at tonight.

Step #4

Evaluate and prioritize the areas where you need to improve.

Now that you have isolated your strengths and weaknesses, go back and number the areas where you need improvement. Give yourself a number one in the area of greatest need; a number two in the next area, etc.

Step #5

Set some specific goals.

To begin, select the area where you need the most improvement. Set up one specific goal and an action step you are going to take to become more obedient to Jesus Christ in this area. Select one new area each week and set a new goal until you have covered them all.

Keep reviewing and remind yourself of your previous goals. Pray continually that God will help you obey His Word in these areas.