F A T H E R SMuestra

-Submission-

Although submission is listed last it’s just as important as all the others. In fact, this may be one of the most challenging on a consistent basis. Why challenging? Because culture indoctrinates us not to submit, especially in professional sports. If you grew up playing sports like I did, you probably had a few mottos that were instilled in you regarding competition and winning. Something like, “never give up”, “always give it 110%”, “never show weakness” or “make your opponent submit/quit!” Now don’t get me wrong, having these types of attributes infused into our personality have tremendous value but often there are times where these principles don’t apply. When we have a spiritual problem that has manifested itself in the physical, whether it’s due to sin or not, we can’t rely on earthly physical solutions to change anything because the root of the issue is spiritual. Simply never giving up or working harder won’t give you a spiritual breakthrough or lead to restoration. I say all this to emphasize that we need to submit our lives to Christ. This means we do away with our own agendas that are filled with selfish, fleshly desires, and live by the spirit in obedience to God’s divine will for our lives. Paul says in Galatians 5:16-26 to “walk by the spirit, so that we don’t carry out the desires of the flesh.” 

Many Christians today live as if salvation or God’s blessings are production-based; that if we do enough good deeds the Lord will bless us. If this is our doctrine of faith, we’re just as dead wrong as those in the church of Galatia that Paul wrote to. We are saved by grace through faith, and not works or good deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9). We should submit the fullness of our lives unto our Creator. Since God is indebted to no one, He canceled out our debt through the atoning death and sacrifice of Jesus on a cross at Calvary. Ironically enough, but in perfect harmony, in order for us to submit our lives to Christ we need: faith, accountability, trust, humbleness, an eternal perspective and righteousness! 

*Prayer:

Heavenly Father and Sovereign Lord, thank you for the grace and mercy you shower upon us each and every day. Your faithful loving kindness never fails. There is none like you; as your ways and thoughts are above ours as far as the heavens are above the earth. God, help us to take every word of yours seriously and submit to your will daily; as we die to our own flesh and produce spiritual fruit. And we do this all for your glory. In the powerful, matchless name of Jesus. Amen!