How to Elevate to Total Submission (Part 2)

The Importance of Submission

Allowing God to have complete control without interference is another principal reason why total submission is important. Many of us often times try to help God out. We go around Him thinking that we know what is best in the situation, and in the end, we always make matters worse. The Lord is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent; He has infinite power, infinite knowledge, and a universal presence that is abound and in operation 24/7. How anyone could ever believe, that in their finite thinking, no matter how many degrees they have earned, are more knowledgeable than God? Colossians 2:9-10 states, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” God doesn’t need our help to figure anything out for Him; He is the head. The only thing God needs from us is our complete submission and obedience to Him. We serve as an extension of Him; the body of Christ. We are His arms and legs here on earth designed to move on His behalf and in His authority. 

What is the difference between Submission and Obedience?

Complete submission requires you to yield to the infinite knowledge the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 2: 2-3 states, “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” When you submit completely, your carnal will: your thoughts, ideas and decision making are no longer prevalent; they bear no weight with you anymore. Yielding to the will of God is acknowledging that His thoughts, ideas and decisions are supreme; outweighing your own. This is why submission is the first step to complete obedience. God’s will take precedence; remember He is the head and we are the body. After this is established, the Lord can proceed with training you in obedience.  Your faith in the Lord is increased through obedience; it is the movement required to fulfill the will of God.  As the Body of Christ, we must move according to His written and spoken instructions. The Holy Spirit that dwells within us assists in the tasks God has set forth for us to accomplish daily. We are an extension of God’s arms, hands and legs; to move on His behalf for the kingdom of God here on earth. In the third chapter of Acts there is a parable about a cripple man. Every day he was placed at the gate of the temple where he begged for freebees. One day as John and Peter headed into the temple, the man asked them for help. Having nothing Peter stated in verse 6-7, “…Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Verse 7, “And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” Peter goes on to say to the witnesses of this miracle that through the name of Jesus Christ, and his faith in Him, the man was healed. Peter understood that it was Jesus that healed the man, he was just the vessel. This is an excellent example of the Lord Jesus Christ using His children as an extension of Him. Peter’s faith and obedience in Christ allowed him to be used through his hands to heal the man. Your complete obedience to God enables Him to work through you freely without any hindrance or interference.  In summary, complete submission means yielding to God’s infinite knowledge. Complete obedience means you are a vessel of God’s moving according to His will.

The Ultimate Submission and Obedience:  “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38

Imagine knowing your purpose was to save all mankind by dying for their sins. To right the wrong of the very first man here on earth, Adam who caused sin to come forth on earth through his disobedience. So your purpose was to be birthed into a sinful world and obeying every command set forth by God so that all mankind could be put back into their proper standing with the Lord. You will bring a new covenant for the remission of sins for all. Imagine being the forerunner; teaching all mankind how to: love one another, walk in forgiveness, peace, be poor in spirit (humble spirit), meekness, merciful, kindness, hunger and thirst for righteousness, mourn for others, pure in heart, a peacemaker, persecuted for righteousness, be the salt and light of the earth and walk in complete obedience to the Lord…can you imagine? And in all of this, imagine not knowing the full extent of your purpose, and what you have to endure to finish your required task. Being judged and tormented all your adult life for righteousness’ sake; for the Lord’s will to be done.  Can you imagine your closest friends turning their backs on you, denying who you are to others and ultimately selling you out for a couple of dollars. Imagine knowing the time is near, knowing your fate, and that you must DIE!!! Not for yourself, but for others, the very people who persecuted you and didn’t believe you were who you proved yourself to be. Imagine crying out to the Lord, knowing He can do all things, asking Him to take away your suffering but in the same breath, saying not my will Father, but let Your will be done. Imagine not just being beaten or stone, but tortured; every time you were hit, flesh and tissue were torn from your body until there was hardly any left. Imagine a crown of jagged nails put on top of your head piercing through to your flesh. Imagine being struck in your face so many times that your eyes becomes slits to see through, leaving you unrecognizable.  Imagine carrying a cross three times your weight on your raw skinless back; being mocked and spat upon as you stumbled by.  Imagine the pain and hardship as nails are being driven into your wrists and feet; crying out asking God why has He has forsaken you. Yet all the while you press and persevere; walking in Godly love with even your enemies, knowing that the Lord’s will is being done. What is God’s covenant reward for you? To be forever known as:  The Holy One, The King of Kings, The Son of Man, The Word of God, The name above all names…THE LORD JESUS CHRIST; who sits at the right hand of God and continually intercedes for us.

I challenge you today, that if one Man could fulfill this type of kingdom assignment, then what is the least that you could do? For in Jesus all are redeemed. Isaiah 53:4-5 states, “Surely He has borne our grief’s and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” Verse 5, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” It is not enough for us to be selfish and only concerned about our own salvation. Complete Submission is a requirement to fulfill your God ordained kingdom assignment; expanding His territory through the winning of souls. This is the very least that we can do for the Lord Jesus Christ. Wouldn’t you agree?
 

All Biblical text acquired in the NKJV

©2010 Obedience Ministries