A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

208

A Compe l l i ng Tes t imony

D. Practical concerns

1. Take the time to discover the revolutionary character of biblical submission, especially through the teaching of the apostles.

2. Submission is not merely outward obedience, it involves the inward attitude of deference and lowliness. Search your heart and ask the Spirit to reveal to you any areas of rebellion or resistance that may remain in your spirit regarding the submissive life.

3. Understand the role of listening in submitting to others. To listen carefully to those who lead us, and to respond with respect and esteem is the crucial skill in the discipline of submission.

4. Recognize the limits of biblical submission.

a. We are not to submit to anything that contradicts our responsibility to love God with all our being and our neighbors as ourselves, Matt. 22.37-39.

b. We are not to submit to anything that goes against the plain teaching of our Lord in the Scriptures, Acts 4.19-20; 5.29.

c. We are not to submit to authority that is destructive and corrupt, 2 Cor. 13.10 – For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.