Growing or Groaning

“Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!”
Hebrews 12:9

 

Submit!

Now there’s a word we resist.

But it is also a word essential to growth and maturity.

The childish adult is the one who has never learned to submit.

The carnal Christian, too, has not truly surrendered to the Lordship of Christ.

Submission is a vital part of every aspect of life.

A child submits to their parent; a student to their teacher; a citizen to his government and a believer to the Lord.

We only seem to address it in the marriage relationship but to limit it as to only apply between husband and wife is contrary to the scriptures.

We are all, in one way or another, under authority.

How we submit to those in authority over us impacts our growth.

You cannot simultaneously live in rebellion to His ordained authority and follow the course God has laid out for you.

Rebellion takes you off course.

Remember the Garden?

Life changed for Adam and Eve after they rebelled.

When we fail to submit to those God has brought into our lives, be it parent, teacher, boss or policeman we ‘stunt our growth’.

Are we sometimes asked to submit to someone less than perfect?

Of course!

Other than the Lord, have you met another perfect person?

Of course not!

As you submit, God honors that submission and teaches you through it.

 As we learned yesterday growth comes through relationship.

But growth also comes as we learn to submit to those in authority over us.

Do you grow or groan when called to submit?