Monday, March 06, 2006

Jesus' Submission Brings Salvation

"Today's Devotion" For March 6, 2006

Read: James 4:1-10; Psalm 70

JESUS' SUBMISSION BRINGS SALVATION

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you....Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up." (James 4:7-8a, 10)

In wrestling and certain martial arts there are certain holds called "submission" holds. They are so named because the person experiencing the painfulness of the hold "taps" out in "submission" to the opponent. Essentially, to submit to such a hold is to lose the match or contest. "Submission" then, from the standpoint of such competition is a negative - only the person to whom a competitor submits sees such an outcome as being a positive thing. There is also what some call "submissives" who are a part of an "alternative lifestyle" - whips and chains are a part of their "submission." Such people allow themselves to grovel for the purposes of sexual gratification. Again, "submission" isn't what we would call a positive outcome.

Human beings aren't exactly enamored of any concept of submission. To submit to anything is generally understood to mean failure or subservience. Since "9-11" and the authorizations of the "Patriot Act," travelers who fly on commercial aircraft are asked to submit to closer scrutiny of their luggage, their person, and their identity. Many feel that submitting in this way is an infringement of constitutional rights and therefore something to be detested and hated. If someone is arrested for a crime, there's a pretty good chance that the individual in question will be asked to "submit" to a strip search for contraband and weapons. Again, submission means to be under someone else's control. It's the negative connotation of "submission" that many people understand when God speaks about "submission" as in "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord," (Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18), even though Paul also reminds us that we are to "Submit to one another, out of reverence for Christ" (Eph. 5:21) - humbly putting the needs of others before our own needs.

As much as humanity "hates" the concept of submission and submissiveness, submission is critical for our salvation. Jesus' coming to earth wasn't intended to be a picnic but a time of intense temptation, persecution, and hatred. Taking on our human flesh and submitting Himself to the Father and His Will, our Lord Jesus went to the Cross in total obedience and submission. He did this for us so that we might be saved and receive God's forgiveness and love. Becoming a servant rather than exercising His deity, Jesus placed Himself under God's Law for us. Tempted by Satan, He resisted with all the power of God's Word - not as God but as Man - the same power all believers have in the Word. Satan left Him alone, and although he tried at other times to divert Jesus from the Cross, in the end he was totally defeated.

Our Lord's submission to the Father and His Will reminds us that we, too, are called upon to "submit" ourselves to God. By faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we know that Jesus' submission brings God's salvation into the world. We know, therefore, that we want to submit to God's Word, His love and forgiveness so that we might not only receive His blessings but that we might also be an example of them to others. Put in such a perspective, "submitting" is essential to our salvation and the forgiveness of all of our sins. "Submitting" to our heavenly Father, we are no longer lost and alone but held in the very palm of His hand because of Jesus.

Prayer: Father, submission isn't my "long suit." I'd rather be in charge than to follow another. To my shame and sorrow that even includes You. The power of Sin in my life daily challenges my relationship with You and tends to lead me away from You rather than into a deeper, more personal and humble relationship with You. Help me to follow Jesus' example of humble obedience in my relationship with You that I might at all times seek to do Your Will and trust that You will lift me up to Yourself. By the power of Your Word and Spirit help me to resist the devil and strengthen my faith and service to You so that others might see our relationship and desire to know the same peace, joy, and love that You have given me in Jesus. Let my life be a powerful, winsome witness for Christ so that others might know Your grace and mercy. In Jesus' name and for His sake I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

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