Deeply counter cultural
by Eloise SwallowSubmit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:21
In the medieval period, noblemen would swear fealty to the king. Kneeling before him, they would promise to remain loyal and support the king in his aims. One historian has said that these bonds of fealty were “stronger than family ties”.
I’m sure none of us can imagine kneeling in front of someone else and swearing our undying loyalty to them. And yet, we are called to submit to Christ, and to each other.
Submission is an acknowledgement that we are not in charge.
It’s acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God. It’s also an acknowledgement of the image of God in each other, because the Bible doesn’t just tell us to submit to Christ, but to submit to each other out of reverence for him. In some ways, the call to submit to one another can feel more difficult than the call to obey God.
We live in a self centred, individualistic society that encourages us to look out for ourselves as number one. And yet the Bible tells us to submit to one another.
This is deeply counter cultural.
It’s not about being passive, or getting walked all over, but an active choice to see other people as God sees them, to love them the way Jesus loves them, and put our own self interest last. To put others before ourselves. In doing so, we offer a radically different kind of love than the world does.
In doing so, we reflect Christ to each other. And in doing so, we submit to Christ as the king to whom we must all swear ultimate fealty, and walk in obedience to him.
Over the next few days, go out of your way to bless someone else (e.g. do the chore no one wants to do, or offer to give someone a lift somewhere) even, and especially if, it’s inconvenient for you.
Father,
Help us to love as you love. Help us to see each other as your image bearers, and follow Jesus’ example of putting others’ needs before our own. Help us to walk in obedience to you.
Amen
