SUBMIT, SUBJECT, SUBJECTION

A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM

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 Pet. 5:5

Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:24

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1 Pet. 2:13-15

In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any [of them] are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. And let not your adornment be [merely] external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but [let it be] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:1-4

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Eph. 5:22-23

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Col. 3:18-20

The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. 1 Cor. 14:34-35

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 1 Tim. 2:11

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Rom. 8:20

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:6-7

subject/submit… pretty much the same word in all those verses.
Strong’s #5292/5293
Greek, hupotage - hoop-ot-ag-ay'…hupotasso - hoop-ot-as'-so, verb
Definition:
to arrange under, to subordinate
to subject, put in subjection
to subject one's self, obey
to submit to one's control
to yield to one's admonition or advice
to obey, be subject
1. the act of subjecting
2. obedience, subjection
a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.

The more “controversial” verses referencing wives/women and their roles/position, we don’t like to consider, except to re-interpret them to justify our liberated, “contemporary” lifestyles. Perhaps we would like to re-interpret the verse that says SUBMIT yourselves to God. "Oh no...we can't do that." Then why would you compromise Colossians 3:18???

I attended a Bible “study” in Colossians a few weeks ago and, of course, we came upon chapter 3, verses 18-20. I have never seen anyone (the “leader”) dance around a verse like this man did. He was embarrassed, uncomfortable, unknowledgeable, evasive, and otherwise totally unprepared to deal with the lesson. So he just said something to the effect that those verses are not meant “for us today”. REALLY???

I believe the Christian “church” in general, has a fundamental problem. It is that we do NOT submit or subject ourselves to the Truth of the Word of God. And it begins with the MEN.
Why not?

1. We do not KNOW it. WE being the entire, collective universal church, in general. And “it” being the Word of God. How can the church say it knows the truth of God's Word, when there are so many factions expounding their own "versions" of the truth. There is only ONE!

2. We profess a truth which WE have declared to be the "interpretation" of Scripture. Again… look at all the "schisms"… made easier by "contemporary" translations which accommodate our (desire for) liberalities. Another way of saying, "carnal lusts". Chief among the violators is "the Message" which has "softened" the position on sin, and watered down everything else.

3. We do not WANT to know it. We will find whatever it takes to rationalize and justify certain behaviors and "traditions" which we do NOT want to change. There are Christians which celebrate the Jewish holy days, and there are Christians who don't… there are Christians that celebrate the "Christian" holidays and there are those that don't… there are those that "immerse" and those that "sprinkle"… there are Christians which will "avoid the appearance of evil" and there are those which will "Christianize the evil so that they may "participate".

4. We constantly reaffirm to ourselves that we are "right" only because we will not listen to anyone who says, "you are wrong". God Himself says, "you are wrong".

(1) Submission is the key to unity and harmony in human relationships.
(2) Satan’s fall and his on-going rebellion is a manifestation of his refusal to submit to God; he likewise tempts men to follow in his footsteps.