We have been talking about the very difficult subject of submission to authority, particularly in the local church. There are many benefits promised to those who are submissive to the authorities God endorses. In a previous lesson we listed 4 of them, and I want to revisit those as we finish our study of submission. All His promises are good and true, and these outcomes are worth the effort. Don’t shy away, press in. Let’s look at the first 2.
- Submission requires humility. Humility accesses grace:
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
1 Peter 5:5 NKJV
Notice in the verse above, Peter attaches grace to humility. James makes this same connection in James 4:6-7. All the promises of God are given to us by His grace. We can never earn any of them. Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). . So I healing. Learn to live in the flow of grace through godly submission.
- Submission provides me with an eldership that watches for my soul.
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Hebrews 13:17 NKJV
God intends that someone be watching out for your soul. My spiritual leaders pray for me. After my wife, they are the first place I turn when I need prayer. They have a special, God-given place of authority to pray for me and my house. I want to access all that God put in place for my good. I believe you do, too.
For the print version of today’s lesson, click here.
For the complete list of Healing Help videos click here.
pastorvirgil.com 