When Obedience And Submission Become One

2010-06-18 22:30

There are obedience and submission in the gospel. Obedience is in the heart, and submission is in the body. If anyone has obedience in his heart but doesn't have submission in his body, he can never reach holiness. For him, there is the forgiveness of sins, but not salvation. He will be like those who were delivered out of Egypt but were destroyed in the desert. It is written, "Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe." (Jude 1:5).

Therefore, the Bible said, "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" (Romans 1:17).

Therefore, the Bible said about obedience, "But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Romans 6:17-18). And it also said about submission, "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:27).

It is the same now as in old times that many people obey the gospel but very few people submit to it. It is because they know the first faith, but not the last faith.

There is a relationship of obedience between a father and a son, and there is a relationship of submission between a master and a servant. Our Lord Jesus, the source of salvation, also accomplished the will of God with obedience and submission. it is written, "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:30). Obedience as a son, submission as a man.

Therefore, it is written, "Jesus said, Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17). Jesus clearly distinguished between his Father and his God; As a son of obedience, he said, "my Father," and as a man of submission, "my God."

Though anyone heard the gospel, accepted and believed in Christ, and became a child of God, if he does not beat his body and bring it into subjection in sufferings and perseverance, he is just a child of disobedience who will be rejected at last.

Therefore, obedience without submission is chaff without wheat, and will be blown into
unquenchable fire at the last day. And so, submitting to God, Christ the firstfruits said, "For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." (John 17:19). And also, it is written, "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8). And again, "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering." (Hebrews 2:10).

Imperishable seed is sown by obedience, and fruit to holiness is produced by submission. It is written, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12).

All these things are fulfilled by grace in the truth; it is the gift of God. The Bible said, "who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:21).

Therefore, anyone who is justified by obedience and accomplishes holiness by submission will have eternal life. Amen. Thank you, Lord.