Be Submissive To One Another (Daily Devotional)

Shalom and thank you for joining us for another series on Living Supernaturally. We have been two days into this episode of the ‘one another’ commands, where we are looking at different commands where the ‘one another’ instructions are given. Today, for our meditation we are going to focus on ‘be submissive to one another’. Let’s read from scripture from 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 5, ‘yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”’ The word submission often brings many questions and raises many eyebrows. At first glance, it maybe difficult to submit because it probably appears that one is greater than the other to submit or because it makes the other person feel vulnerable, it makes them feel weak, subjugated or also it makes them think that they are a pushover. In scripture, to submit to one another is not based on the merits of another person. Believers aren’t to submit to one another because others deserve it but they are to submit to one another because they hold Christ in utmost reverence. To submit to one another is literally to align oneself below others in rank which means to perceive yourself as lesser in rank for the benefit of the other. We see the example of the Lord Jesus Christ where He lowered Himself to become a man, to die a death that was gruesome and to give life to those who believe in Him. We see that He submitted Himself to the will of God to do what God wanted Him to do. In the same way, because of what Christ did for us, we also submit to one another because we value the lives of others that means to willingly give up things for others and to regard others as more important than yourself. The idea that we need to submit to one another is the most important principle that undergirds every relationship that you and I have. In fact, Paul gives this instruction for various societal and familial roles all based on this principle, so let’s just look at a few. It says, wives are to submit to their husbands to illustrate the way the church submits to Christ. Husbands are to align themselves by loving their wives selflessly to illustrate Jesus’ love for the church. Children ought to align themselves under their parents in honor and obedience. Fathers need to align themselves under their children so that they don’t provoke them but rather bring them up in the training, discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves should align themselves under their masters with sincere obedience and masters should submit to their slaves by treating their slaves with respect, fear and sincerity of heart. It is evident that all people are equal in Christ and even in these familial and societal roles, where there maybe rank or hierarchy, each person ought to submit to one another as if they were of lower rank. So, wherever you are today or whatever role you play, help yourself to know that a relationship is built as you submit to one another because you bring glory to God for doing so. Let’s pray together, Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word, thank you for teaching us that our submission to one another brings you glory, brings you reverence. Lord, whatever role we play, whichever relationship we are in, teach us to treat others with greater value, to see others of a higher rank and hierarchy. Thank you that you help us to do so, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Daily devotions to strengthen your faith each day. Daily Devotional for Spirit filled living. Each daily devotion is about five minutes in duration. These daily devotionals are centered around a weekly theme. So there are seven daily devotions that focus on the theme and bring you insight, understanding and revelation from the Bible. Each week’s theme is listed as a series. So you can listen to the current week’s devotions or go to any previous theme/series that speaks to your present need (https://apcwo.org/resources/daily-devotions ). Also available free sermons (https://apcwo.org/sermons), and free Christian books (https://apcwo.org/books) to nourish and strengthen your faith.