Another Day 10 Holy Submission

March 17, 2023 by Michelle Brown Leave a Comment

Another Day 10 Holy Submission

Michelle Brown

March 17, 2023

Christ,Humility,Jesus,Reflection,Relationship,Submission

Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 5:15-21
Luke 2:41-52
John 6:36-40
Philippians 2:1-11
Isaiah 66:1-2

Submission is often a touchy and misunderstood topic, yet it is a vital aspect of our Christian walk.

“[B]e filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-21, emphasis mine)

If we are to submit to one another, we must consider why God places such an emphasis on its role in the church.

Submission is defined as an “act of referring to a third party for judgment or decision”; a study of the word’s Latin roots adds, “a lowering, letting down; sinking,” and “to reduce, yield.” As a verb, submission means “to place (oneself) under the control of another, to yield oneself.” Already, we see common themes! Keep these in mind as we explore submission in honoring God and others.

We find the perfect model of submission in Jesus Christ’s submission to the will of the Father. Submission to the Father characterized Jesus’ life from a young age. Following a Passover celebration in Jerusalem, Luke 2:41-49 describes how Jesus remained in the city unbeknownst to His parents. They found Him three days later, sitting among the religious leaders and asking questions.

When they expressed their anxiety at losing Him, Jesus responded, “Why were you searching for me? [. . .] Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49) Jesus was willing to submit Himself to the Father, even at the cost of causing conflict with His earthly parents.

Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus’ continued submission to the Father’s will. In Matthew 4:1-11, Satan tempted Jesus to worship him and rebel against the Father,
but Christ,
the Son of God,
used the Word of God
to dispel Satan’s attempt to turn Him from God’s ordained plan of salvation.

In the final hours before His arrest, despite the intense suffering He knew awaited Him, Jesus’ prayers revealed His submission to God’s plan for redemption.

“My Father, if this [cup of suffering] cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42)

John 6:38 reiterates, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

1 Peter 2:24 succinctly reveals the fruit of Jesus’ submission. “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness.”

Philippians 2:1-11 sums up Jesus’ submission by explaining He was born as a human being and humbled Himself in obedience to God, dying a criminal’s death. “For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross,” doing the will of the Father.
“See, I have come to do your will [. . .] By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.” (Hebrews 10:10)

Similarly, we are called to follow Jesus’ example in submitting to God. This holy submission stands in sharp contrast to how the world and some Christians view submission, such as oppressive, sexist, or justification for husbands to abuse wives.

Submission is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Through faith in Christ, we receive His righteousness as our own and keep His commandments through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Submission denies us the power and privilege we want,
instead choosing to stand under the Lord’s authority, wisdom, and power.

Philippians 2:1-11 helps us understand submission practically by noting its key attributes like humility, loving one another, working together, being humble and considering others as better than ourselves. This is the same attitude Jesus Christ displayed when He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died on the cross in our place. Submission to God’s rule and reign begins with humility and is displayed through genuine love, generosity, and service to all people.

We can submit to one another in real-life and bring honor to the God who humbled Himself for us!

Prayer & Scripture Study
Consistent Bible reading and fellowship with God allows us to know Him and teaches us how to practically love and minster to others. Just as Jesus prioritized time alone with God, so should we. (Matthew 14:23)

Consider Others First
In holding our own desires loosely and actively asking God to use us to love well, opens the door for authentic submission. We can trust that even if submission doesn’t feel fun, God will lead us to that which is “good, pleasing, and perfect[.]” (Romans 12:2)

Servant Heart, Hands, & Feet
Practice choosing to serve others in real-life scenarios as the Holy Spirit leads you to build others up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Known & Listened To
Take time to honor others with active listening. Without intentional listening to know the other person, we make our submitted service or generous outreach more about our own good feelings than loving others or honoring God. (James 1:19)

Submission is bigger than our preferences and bigger than ourselves. It allows our ego to die so we can enter a joy-filled life with Christ, living in God’s pleasure as He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

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Christ,generous,humility,love,Submission

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Philemon Day 10 Purposed Pain: Digging Deeper

February 24, 2023 by Carol Graft Leave a Comment

Philemon Day 10 Purposed Pain: Digging Deeper

Carol Graft

February 24, 2023

Broken,Emptiness,Forgiven,Freedom,Jesus

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philemon 1:14-16

14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How were Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus connected? (verses 14-15)

This letter was more than likely written while Paul was imprisoned. Some sources say it was more likely house arrest than an actual prison cell, allowing Paul to have visitors more easily. It is believed Paul first met Philemon while preaching in Ephesus.

Philemon was a leader in Colossae and was converted to Christianity by Paul. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave who escaped and fled to Rome where he met Paul. (Enduring Word) Some sources cite he had also committed an act of theft.

We don’t know for certain if Onesimus already knew Paul or just encountered him in Rome, but we know he was converted by Paul. (Got Questions) Since Paul converted both men, he considered them both “brothers” and “sons” in Christ. Because he also considered Philemon his dear friend (verse 1), he didn’t want to make decisions about Onesimus without discussing it with his friend, which is the purpose of this letter.

The Everyday Application

1) How were Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus connected? (verses 14-15)

Maybe you’ve never encountered a runaway while sitting under house arrest. Or perhaps the Lord hasn’t called you into a teaching ministry as He did with Paul. Regardless, God has you where you are for a distinct purpose.

You may think your role in His Kingdom is small, but it’s not dear sister. Paul encountered Philemon in a completely different territory than he lived. Philemon heard the Gospel and then believed in Christ. Your influence matters. Who you encounter day to day matters. Where you plant seeds for Christ matters. By holding steadfast in your personal walk with Jesus and how you carry yourself, yes even on bad days, you are noticed by your neighbors, co-workers, family, and your fellow church goers.

Your ripple effect really does have an impact. Even when the struggles of life weigh on you, be assured that your connections, conversations, and convictions plant seeds, just as Paul’s did for one runaway slave turned brother in Christ!

The Original Intent

2) Was Onesimus still a slave after conversion? (verses 15-16)

Becoming a Christ follower in the 1st century generally didn’t stop your earthly obligations. We don’t really know for certain if Paul’s desire was for Onesimus to be manumitted (set free) by Philemon. Regardless, it was not in Paul’s authority to issue that edict.

What we do see is that Paul doesn’t excuse Onesimus’ behavior. Paul shows Philemon that perhaps there was a greater plan of Divine orchestration working behind the scenes for Onesimus, even as he chose to rebelliously run away. “For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time”. (verse 15)

Onesimus was still Philemon’s slave, but he was no longer a slave to sin. Christ had granted his soul freedom. According to Enduring Word, “Paul “re-introduced” Onesimus to Philemon; not as a slave, but as a brother. In this relationship as brothers and not slaves, Paul effectively abolished the sting of the “master-slave” relationship.”

Though by law Onesimus was still a slave, Paul no longer considered him as such and encouraged Philemon to also see him as a brother and not property.

The Everyday Application

2) Was Onesimus still a slave after conversion? (verses 15-16)

Once we become a Christ follower it doesn’t diminish or remove our position in life, rather, now we have a fuller purpose to live within it! With new life in Christ, we absolutely must denounce and turn away from any sinful lifestyle we have lived and sinful activities we have participated in. If this includes our work, we must trust the Lord to provide work that honors Him.

But Christ’s transformation within does not release us from our secular, legitimate occupations and responsibilities without. We can’t simply walk out of a job we may dislike because we now trust and follow God. In fact, the Bible tells us, “Submit to every human authority because of the Lord.” (1 Peter 2:13) Our relationship with our employer may change as we understand their need for a Savior, just as we had. Christ may re-shape how we view our position at work through the lens of Christ.

We have more at stake to perform our job while fulfilling our role for the glory of Christ! (1 Timothy 6:2), (1 Corinthians 10:31)

The Original Intent

3) How would the first century have understood the phrase “more than a slave” given their cultural context? (verse 16)

Bondservants in the 1^st century were indentured servants. They were not necessarily treated as chattel, like slavery in the United States or even the Israelites as slaves in Egypt. In Roman law, slavery was a permanent position of servanthood.

According to Biblicalcyclopedia, “…notwithstanding all the barbarous cruelties of Roman slavery, it had one decided advantage over that which was introduced in modern times into European colonies — both law and custom being decidedly favorable to the freedom of the slave.” So perhaps they would have been thinking about Onesimus being set free to be “more than a slave”.

Paul viewed his now-freed-from-sin-self as “all in” for the cause of Christ; a different kind of slavery altogether. (Galatians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 7:22) There were also people in the Old Testament who considered their lives enslaved to the Life of God. Joseph knew God and nothing would sway him from his trust in God’s faithfulness. Esther didn’t waiver though faced with her death and genocide of her people, but acted as the Lord’s slave, wholly devoted to Jehovah.

Paul’s cultural terminology advocated for this perspective: “Regardless of economic, social and cultural context – followers of Christ have the opportunity to share the love of God by their changed lives – by faithful, submissive, humble obedience.” (Alliance Bible Fellowship) Choosing slavery to Christ and whole life surrender to His lordship is far more desirable than any other role available to humanity.

The Everyday Application

3) How would the first century have understood the phrase “more than a slave” given their cultural context? (verse 16)

Becoming a slave, even a slave to Christ, doesn’t sound appealing to our modern, Western ears. We immediately associate slavery with negative connotations such as chattel slavery, or abuse of persons.

Indenturing yourself to someone historically meant serving them wholeheartedly, usually with the promise of freedom at some point as well as finances. (Alliance Bible Fellowship) Paul’s perspective on serving Christ as His slave was the most wonderful role to live out in life. Nothing would separate him from being so closely aligned with Christ and Kingdom work.

Would you say you share Paul’s sentiments? Are you “all in” for Christ’s Kingdom? I’d like to think I am. While we don’t know everyone’s story, those of us in the western hemisphere probably haven’t faced hardships to make us question how far “in” we truly are in surrendering to Jesus. But those hurts, slights, and moments of being asked to serve the Lord Jesus outside of our comfort zone can cause us to consider just how close we want to be to Jesus.

Let us determine to be like Paul, serving the Lord and interacting with others as brothers and sisters in Christ, freely submitting to Christ as His slave.

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forgiveness,freedom,hope,pain,purpose,slave

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