Christmas Submission

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 1 Peter 3: 1-2

I am writing this Christmas week 2011 and we are considering the topic of submission. I thought about switching to the topic of Christmas and then realized that Christmas is all about submission. I have come to realize that they are complimentary and could not be suited better to each other. Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3 are parallel passages, part of verse 25 the Ephesians scriptures reads, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” Two principles should be considered out of his giving of himself. The first is Christ’s love and the second is Christ trust of the Father. The key to understanding submission is bound up in these two truths. They are birthed in the heart of the one who submits. We must first understand that both are voluntary, and volitional. Secondarily, we must understand that submission is the acknowledgement that we trust God.

Our Peter passage promotes a submission in wives that is dignified, strong, and beautiful, “pure and reverent” are Peter’s words. The outcome or fruit that is often born of this type of conduct is a man that comes to love God. Christ provides us his example. He comes into the world in submission yet in partnership with the Father. He “lays down” and ”picks up” his life. He does so under his own power and what he wins is a “radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish”

Submission that is forced is no submission at all. That would be oppression not submission. One definition of oppression is “the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety, etc.” This is how many feel about the topic of submission, especially in marriage and especially at Christmas. Yet Jesus did all things for the’ joy’ set before him.

It is with an attitude of joy that submission should be approached. It is servant leadership exemplified. Peter confronts the type of materialism that causes anxiety for many now as it did then.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3: 3-4

Vanity is such a common practice that it is no longer considered a vice. It certainly has crossed the gender gap as well. Submission that is spirit driven creates inner beauty that is gentle and is of great value to God because it is so easy for him to use. A non submitted life is a life with the emergency brake on. It will move in the direction you want it to go but it will be forced and usually stinks. It creates great wear and tear and shortens the life as well.

A submitted life is one that is in the flow and rhythm of the spirit. It is not an easy life. Jesus’s submitted life lead him to the cross but it is a life that knows what is important, it prioritizes other’s needs before our own and it makes our lives a gift to others. If that is not the Spirit of Christmas nothing is.