Lord Change My Attitude: From Rebellion To Submission

Submission, when properly understood and applied, replaces the pain and strife of rebellion and greatly increases human happiness. Macdonald, James (2008-04-01). Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late (p. 195). Moody Publishers. We’re all natural-born rebels, so we have a built-in resistance to submission. On top of that, submission has been hijacked by some selfish-minded, even cruel, authoritarians who have twisted and distorted the truth for their own purposes. Submission has a terrible reputation right now, so it’s hard to get even sincere people to consider it seriously. Macdonald, James (2008-04-01). Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late (p. 195). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

1 Peter 2:13-25 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14] or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. [15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. [16] Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. [17] Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:13-25 ESV [18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. [19] For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. [20] For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. [21] For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:13-25 ESV [22] He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. [23] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. [24] He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. [25] For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

PRINCIPLE ONE: SUBMISSION IS DUTY TO GOD [13] Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14] or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. Submit is a military term that means “to place yourself in order under established authority.” It means “to operate within the chain of command.” Notice the word yourselves in verse 13. You might circle that if you’re looking carefully at your own Bible. No one is to force you to submit; God’s Word says “submit yourselves.” Don’t miss the principle Peter was applying: Forced submission from the top down is not taught anywhere in the Bible. Nowhere do we see the person in authority demanding, “You submit to me!” The person in authority does not command submission. A leader receives that from those under his or her authority. That leader is called to win the favor of those who are under him through serving and selflessness. That’s servant leadership. Submission is a choice—not top down, but bottom up.

SUBMISSION IS PROTECTION BY GOD PRINCIPLE TWO: SUBMISSION IS PROTECTION BY GOD [14] or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. [15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. What a phenomenal statement about our judicial system! If only our government would turn to God’s Word, how much they could understand! What is the purpose of a judicial system? The Scripture indicates it is to punish wrongdoers and honor “those who do right.” Did you know that the escalating crime in our society over the last fifty years is almost directly related to the decision our government made to move away from a punitive judicial system and toward a rehabilitative judicial system? Instead of seeing criminals as wrongdoers who should be punished, we now see them as sick people who need help. Of course, criminals should be helped and treated with respect, but above all, God’s Word says they are to serve time for their crimes. Part of God’s purpose for authority is to “praise . . . those who do right.” Blessing and favor come to the person who lives in submission. Why? “For such is the will of God” (verse 15). God’s will is for us to display lives of submission, not of rebellion against authority. Do you think God isn’t watching? He is. When recognized authority makes a decision and you don’t like the choices that they’re making, God is very aware of how you respond. God’s will is “that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men”

PRINCIPLE THREE: SUBMISSION HAS LIMITS UNDER GOD [18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. [19] For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. [20] For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. [21] For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

PRINCIPLE THREE: SUBMISSION HAS LIMITS UNDER GOD [22] He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. [23] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

PRINCIPLE FOUR: SUBMISSION IS FAVOR FROM GOD [18] Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. [19] For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. [20] For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

PRINCIPLE FIVE: SUBMISSION IS INTIMACY WITH GOD [21] For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. [24] He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. [25] For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Questions Do I practice submission? Here’s an easy way to find the answer to that question. Make a list of the primary authorities in your life. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being total rebellion and 10 being total submission, what has been your attitude of submission to each of them? Put the number after the person’s name. Then list next to each authority what you plan to do as a way to improve your attitude of submission toward them.

Questions Am I experiencing the results of submission? Can you illustrate submission in your life by decisions that have cost you? It’s easy to submit to a caring and gentle leader. How have you done with authorities who have placed unpleasant demands on you? When you examine your life, can you see the difference in past situations between the results of submission and the results of rebellion?

Am I ready to submit to those whom I am resisting? Questions Am I ready to submit to those whom I am resisting?

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