Dr. Neil T. Anderson writes, “We live in rebellious times. Many people sit in judgment of those in authority over them and they submit only when it is convenient or they do so in the fear of being caught” (Steps to Freedom in Christ, p. 14). The truth is it is sometimes difficult to submit to those in authority with whom we disagree or who are poor leaders but the Bible requires us to submit to all in authority over us. “The only time God permits us to rebel against authority is when they require us to do something morally wrong or attempt to rule outside the realm of their authority” (Steps, p. 14). As a rule, God does not bless rebels.

One definition of submission is “to allow God to lead us through other people.” That means God works through His established lines of authority to lead us. That takes faith, doesn’t it? We don’t have to like the leader. We don’t have to agree with the leader. We do, however, have a duty to follow the leader. That’s biblical submission.

Romans 13:1 commands us to “be submissive to governing authorities . . . for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” The word translated submit or submissive is the Greek word hupotasso. It’s a compound word composed of hupo meaning “under” and tasso meaning “to arrange or order.” Hupotasso is used 40 times in the New Testament and was originally a military term. In the military, troops come under the authority of a commanding officer, someone of higher rank. For example, when a drill sergeant commands his troops to “close ranks” he is commanding them to arrange themselves in a line standing next to each other. More than obey which simply means to follow a command, submit means to yield to a superior, one of greater rank. That requires humility. Submitting to others means I am not in charge; they are.

Far from being a curse, submission is a blessing. Consider that Jesus Christ perfectly submitted Himself to His Father in all things. In the garden of Gethsemane He declared, “. . . not my will but Thine be done” (Matthew 26:39).  Jesus submitted to the will of His Father because He knew that the Father loved Him and meant only the best for Him. We, too, have the choice of submitting to those in authority over us out of duty or delight. Either way we still have to render submission.

What about us? To whom are we to submit? All citizens are to submit to civil government. All children are to submit to parents. All students and athletes are to submit to teachers, principals, and coaches. All employees are to submit to employers. All wives are to submit to their husbands. All parishioners are to submit to church leaders. All human beings are to submit to God.

Submission is God’s idea. It is rooted in humility and God blesses the humble,

Irv