Against the grain
by Becky Dobie“Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.” So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
James 4:6-7
What comes to mind when you think of the word submission?
Maybe it brings to mind things like oppression, slavery or dictatorship. That’s not what we want to think about when we think about submission in the context of God.
God is a loving God, to him submission is more of a love language, it’s choosing to love him above everything. It’s choosing to trust that his way is best. It’s like a bit of a trust fall with a friend, letting go and falling into his arms.
How do we know we can trust God enough to let go of what the world tells us is the right way and to follow his way?
John 15:13 says “No one has greater love than this- that one lays down his life for his friends.” That is exactly what Jesus did, by dying for us on the cross. So as a way of saying thank you, we should submit to him with love and a grateful heart.
So what does submission to God look like?
To submit to God is to be counter cultural, to go against the grain. Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”.
The culture of today tells us to strive for success, money and fame, to buy more to have more and that “sex, drugs and rock and roll” is how we can live a full life. God is saying that we should be humble, not proud and gentle in spirit.
“whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8
I don’t know about you, but to me, the latter seems a more fulfilled life.
Lord,
thank you for dying on the cross so that we can live in close relationship with you. Show me how I can love you better. Help me to see how I can submit to you more each day.
Amen
