Submission as an evangelism tool..

Submission isn’t about losing—it’s about winning souls and glorifying God.

In a world that glorifies independence and rebellion, the concept of submission often feels outdated, if not outright oppressive. Yet, in his letter, Peter paints submission as an act of worship and evangelism —a radical and countercultural display of allegiance to God. It’s not about human rights, equality, or fear of consequences. It’s about honoring the Lord in every sphere of life.

Submission Starts with the Lord

"Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and temporary residents not to give in to the desires of your old nature, which keep warring against you; but to live such good lives among the pagans that even though they now speak against you as evildoers, they will, as a result of seeing your good actions, give glory to God on the Day of his coming."

This sets the tone for everything Peter teaches on submission. As believers, we’re not primarily citizens of earthly kingdoms; our true allegiance is to God’s kingdom. Our submission flows from this identity, impacting every relationship and responsibility we have.

Submission to Authorities

“For the sake of the Lord, submit yourselves to every human authority — whether to the emperor as being supreme, or to governors as being sent by him to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do what is good.”

Submission to human authorities isn’t about endorsing their policies or even agreeing with their actions. It’s about acknowledging God’s sovereignty over all earthly systems. By submitting to governing authorities, we show that we trust God to work through (or in spite of) human leaders.

This doesn’t mean blind obedience—it means respectful submission, even when we disagree. And here’s the kicker: our submission silences the ignorant talk of foolish people, pointing them to God’s glory.

Submission in the Workplace

“Household servants, submit yourselves to your masters, showing them full respect — and not only those who are kind and considerate, but also those who are harsh. For it is a grace when someone, because he is mindful of God, bears up under the pain of undeserved punishment.”

Peter’s words to servants may seem harsh by today’s standards, but the principle is timeless: our work ethic reflects our worship. Whether our boss is kind or harsh, we’re called to serve with diligence and respect—not because they deserve it, but because God deserves it.

Submission in Marriage

“In the same way, wives, submit to your husbands; so that even if some of them do not believe the Word, they will be won over by your conduct, without your saying anything, as they see your respectful and pure behavior.”

Submission in marriage isn’t about inferiority or control; it’s about influence. A wife’s gentle and quiet spirit has the power to transform her husband, even if he doesn’t believe in God. Similarly, husbands are called to lead with understanding and respect, recognizing their wives as equal heirs of God’s grace.

The goal here isn’t a power struggle but mutual submission rooted in love and honor.

Submission as a Community

“Finally, all of you, be one in mind and feeling; love as brothers; and be compassionate and humble-minded, not repaying evil with evil or insult with insult, but, on the contrary, with blessing.”

Submission doesn’t end with our personal relationships; it extends to our communities. Peter calls us to a life of humility, compassion, and forgiveness—a life that reflects God’s grace to the world.

Why Submit?

  1. We submit to honor God.
    Submission is an act of worship, reflecting our trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness.

  2. We submit to authorities not because of human rights.
    Our submission silences critics and showcases God’s wisdom and glory.

  3. We submit to spouses not because of equality.
    It’s about building relationships that mirror God’s love and grace.

  4. We submit to masters not because of the law.
    Our work becomes a testimony to God’s character, even in unjust circumstances.

In all this, the ultimate call is to submit to the Lord. Every act of submission to human institutions or relationships is an overflow of our submission to Him. So whether it’s obeying the law, honoring your spouse, respecting your boss, or loving your community, do it all for the sake of the Lord.

After all, submission isn’t about losing—it’s about winning souls and glorifying God.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When the firstborn dies.

Image
Everything Changes When a Firstborn Dies. Today, I found myself reflecting on ancient Egypt—specifically, during the reign of the Pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). It was a time of great power, but also of great sorrow, especially when things took a tragic turn. Now, you might know the story, but let's revisit it a bit. Joseph, the shepherd boy and his father’s favorite, found himself in a bit of a pickle. His brothers, tired of his dreams and his fancy coat, sold him off to some merchants. These merchants then sold Joseph as a slave in Egypt. Fast forward a few years, and our boy Joseph had climbed the ranks in Egypt, from slave to leader. He was well-known, respected, and even had a family. Then, a severe drought struck, and Egypt, under Joseph’s brilliant management, became the region’s breadbasket. It’s said that the grain stores were so full that they stopped keeping records (Genesis 41:49). This abundance attracted people from all over, including Joseph’s own...
Read more

Full year BRG - Canonical

Image
Key Tips for Success Consistency Over Perfection: If you miss a day, don’t give up. Use the lighter weekends to catch up. Break It Down: Split the daily chapters into smaller portions (e.g., morning and evening readings). Use Audio Bibles: If you're too tired to read, listen to the chapters while driving, cooking, or relaxing. Journal Your Journey: Note one insight or question per day to deepen understanding and engagement. Accountability Groups: Form a small Bible study group to stay motivated and share reflections. - Week 1 (Jan 1–7):   Mon: Genesis 1–4     Tue: Genesis 5–8     Wed: Genesis 9–12     Thu: Genesis 13–16     Fri: Genesis 17–20     Sat: Genesis 21–22     Sun: Genesis 23–24   - Week 2 (Jan 8–14):   Mon: Genesis 25–28     Tue: Genesis 29–32     Wed: Genesis 33–36     Thu: Genesis 37–40     Fri: Genesis 41–4...
Read more

Praying for the physically ill.

Image
Whenever we have a loved one not feeling well, admitted in hospital or maybe even in a critical condition according to the medics, prayer can become hard. We get to a point of prayer fatigue (I first heard that term from a friend called Sarah) and if things are not handled well, we may end up praying amiss as James describes it. I have highlighted the WE sections to emphasize the value of prayer of unity. However, if you're praying while alone, you still are not alone. Believers pray in the company of other believers seen or unseen. That's why our Lord taught us to pray "our father" and not my father. We're never alone in the place of prayer. May this guide help you pray for yourself, your loved one, friend or a friend to a friend. Pray in the spirit and with understanding. 1. Praying for God's Will to Be Done In Mark 1:40-42, a man with leprosy came to Jesus and said, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus responded, "I am willing....
Read more