Submission leads to freedom

Submission and freedom are intricately linked. Last Wednesday night we focused on submission as we continued our study of the twelve spiritual disciplines outlined by Richard Foster. Throughout the evening, we talked about how submission leads to freedom.

In 1 Peter 2:16,17, Peter writes, “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”

Submission frees us to respect people. When we free ourselves from having to be better than others, we can treat them as people, not adversaries. Whether it’s a boss, a teacher, a spouse, a friend, or even an enemy, when we live as servants of all, we can lay down our pride and fear for something significantly more powerful, love.

A little later in the same letter, Peter says it this way…

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9)

Are you tired of being held captive by the need to put others down?

Does always trying to prove you’re better exhaust you?

Is constantly trying to have your way stressing you out?

Then try the path of submission, love, and freedom. It’s a road that reduces anxiety, fear, and captivity.

Sure, it might be scary at first. If it’s not a little terrifying at times, I would be really surprised. When we are so accustomed to fighting for our own way, letting go can feel a little uneasy. But just let go and enjoy the ride.

Living in freedom allows us to break free from the things that hold us hostage; things like pride and control.

You might think, but wait, didn’t that Scripture say to “live as God’s slaves”? Yes it did.

The reality is that we will always be a slave to something. Our decision is, who do we want to serve?

Do we want to serve a master who will slowly kill us with emotions and actions that take life? Or do we want to serve a Master who will continue to resurrect us through thoughts and behaviors that bring life?

Chose the latter and find the life that can only be discovered on the path which sets us free to live the way we were made to live, in harmony and community with the Creator of the universe and the creation he has placed us in. Live so that, in the words of Peter, “you may inherit a blessing.”

 

shine!
Jason