The Law of Submission

"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:3-11

Fact: our character is so weakened that we all must learn the lesson of brokenness. Whatever is being asked of us, we simply must learn to do it and do it without complaining or grudging. For most of us, we have always had a road out when someone has asked something from us. We have a crux if you will.

This is why it is so important for us to learn the law of submission wherever we find ourselves; whether it's in the work place, school, accountability group, etc.

You learn the most about yourself when you have to come up under the authority of someone else. When you come up under them, God is using that to reveal to you areas of weakness in your character. Remember, we always try to self justify. Our flesh always tries to justify. In your mind, it will always seem right why you are choosing to not submit to that authority. The question is can you come under the influence of someone else? That is what accountability is.

Jesus modeled complete dependence and brokenness. What is amazing about us is that we often spend more time looking for ways out rather than just doing whatever it is and getting it done!

When you come under accountability, God wants to use that environment to conform you to Christ. The most intense warfare Jesus went through was to get out of what the Father wanted Him to do. He was literally sweating blood drops in the Garden of Gethsemane. The same is true for us.

We must allow the Cross to affect our will. It's not my will, but the will of another that needs to be done. Would you just trust God that whatever accountability you are under, God will protect and use this for your good?

Hebrews 12 talks about the chastening of the Father and the rules and guidelines that cost us. God uses accountability as a process to train you. You must come under the restrictions of the Father.

Tell me if this is not the truth? In the Church, we usually do not have a problem with the direct ministry of the Holy Spirit, but we have a major problem with the indirect ministry of the Holy Spirit when it comes from someone else. I have no problem doing what I feel God has asked me to do, but I buck when someone else is requiring something out of me (scripture memorization, reading, chores, etc.) But I pray that you do submit yourself to Godly leadership because after all, you learn more about yourself in times of restriction than any other time in your life.

You will learn one of two things:

1) You are seeking to be an overachiever for the praise of men. Or....

2) There is rebellion in your heart and lots of self-will.

May each of us learn to submit to one another!

pcraig