Based on John 3:30: Jesus must increase, I must decrease
Honor one another
When popular opinion and cultural taboos change, Christians are not to shrink back from the unchanging truth of God’s Word. Some topics challenge us and make us feel uncomfortable. (Like Monday’s post on surrender and today’s subject on submission.) They are not viewed as modern sociology. It’s tempting to avoid these subjects, but in pursuit of a growing discipleship they must be addressed.
The first three areas in this series on Transference (honesty with God, surrender to the Lordship of Christ, submission to others) are all fruits born of humility.
It is nearly impossible to honor others and be devoted to them when I am consumed with self. I must, therefore, have a transference from pride to love for others.
For my own training, I have coined the term other-ness as the practice of expressing the love of Christ towards others by putting them first and considering them above myself. I like what Richard J. Foster wrote;
“In submission we are free to value other people. Their dreams and plans become important to us. We have entered into a new, wonderful, glorious freedom, the freedom to give up our own rights for the good of others.”
Other-ness.
Inevitably one subjects himself to someone or something. It is my opinion that not only is pride at the root of resistance to submission but feeling our identity is threatened. When I allow society to dictate my value I am insecure in who I am. When I fully realize my significance in Christ I will more readily obey God and submit to others.
We are dearly loved children of God - subjected to authority. Jesus knew this full well. Being both God and God’s Son, still He willingly subjected Himself to the authority of mortal man. He submitted himself to the parental authority of Joseph and Mary; to governing authorities of Rome; to the religious authority of the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin.
He knew who He was in God, where He came from and where He was returning yet He did not grasp that as something to proudly lord over others but to freely serve others.
I am called to have regard for others over any presumed rights I think I’m entitled to. We are commanded to:
- submit ourselves to God [Jms 4:7]
- to governing authorities [Rm 13:1, 5]
- to every authority [1 Pt 2:13; Heb 13:17]
- in our Christian relationships [Eph 5:21; Mt 20:25-28]
- in our spousal relationships [Eph 5:22,24; Col 3:18]
- to our master [Tit 2:9, 1 Pt 2:18]
As Christians then, submissiveness is a responsive obedience to God. Having the mind of Christ through surrender to the workings of the indwelling Holy Spirit enables me to love with His love.
Only by faith in God’s ultimate authority can we voluntarily have a submissive attitude and maintain good citizenship in a world not our own.
I find the instructions God inspired Paul to write to the Philippians as my most helpful guide in this area:
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
[Php 2:1-5]
That is ultimate other-ness. Ideal other-ness. Other-ness perfected. An important step in my Transference journey.
I humble myself to Your authority, Lord, and subject myself to the authorities You have placed above me. May I have the same attitude of Christ, considering others better than myself and doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Teach me to love as You love and serve as You serve and to devote myself to the body of Christ. Grant me a keener sense of other-ness. Amen.
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Thank you for sharing your heart.