Commit to Submit

By Edd Sterchi

    The word for “submit” (in some cases, “be subject”) in the New Testament comes from a military term meaning to arrange troops under the command of a leader. The word is defined by Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon as, “to subject one’s self, to yield to one’s admonition or advice, to obey.”
    Of course, this word is used in specific cases (as in the case of wives, servants, and young folks, cf. Eph. 5:22; 1 Pet. 2:18; 1 Pet. 5:5), but it is mostly used in the general sense for all Christians. Take note of what we are to submit and be subject to:
        * We are to fully submit to God and His will (Jas. 4:7).
        * We should submit to the government and its ordinances (1 Pet. 2:13-14).
        * We must submit to and encourage fellow Christians (Eph. 5:21).
        * We are even to submit in ministering to others (1 Cor. 16:15-16)
    Christians, let’s submit and commit ourselves to these things, knowing that a better world results from them.

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/