Sun 5 Feb

Submission is a word we love to apply to others, but loathe it when the word is applied to ourselves. However, if we thought about it, our world would not survive if submission was not present. You practiced submission to the road rules which enabled you to get to church relatively safely.

For the Christians our example of submission is found in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who submitted to His Father's will, came to earth, went to the cross and died on our behalf. Such an example of submission serves as a model for how the Christian is to humbly submit. Throughout Peter's letter, he has written of relationships where submission is called for. Whether it be the governing authorities, submission in the work place, or in the marriage relationship.

Now in this final chapter he writes of submission in the church, whether it be to the church elders or to one another. Such submission is evidenced in the humility we have toward one another. No one is exempt! "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another" (v. 5). And we are given the reason why we humbly submit. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."What is it that stops you from humbly submitting to one another? Is it your pride? Do you think you are better than the ones God is calling you to submit to? As we consider our pride, let us be thankful that Jesus submitted on our behalf.