Read Ephesians 5:15–21. Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Submitting is an interesting word. In the original Greek it means to place under. Paul’s implication here is that submission is something we must do in relation to other people. We hear a great deal about standing up for our rights, but little about foregoing them. After I had grown up asked my father: Pop, you have a very forceful personality. You call it your positive nature. How in the world did you and my mother get along so well, as everyone says was the case? Didn’t you ever quarrel? He thought a moment. No, Boy, I don’t think we ever did quarrel. When I said or did anything that she disagreed with, she would explain to me, very carefully, how she felt, and then she would add, Whatever you want, dear, and I’d end up doing it her way. That was a very wise lady! Of course, not every explanation has that kind of result. But I can tell you this: the person who is willing to yield suffers far less trauma than the one who is not. People say to me rather belligerently, Do you want me to be a doormat? No, not that. I am only urging you to put in perspective the things that really count. Some things you must not yield. But thousands of other issues in daily life are not worth quibbling about. In dealing with these things, explain your point of view lovingly, clearly, and without heat. Then be willing for whatever outcome may follow.
The willingness to cheerfully go out of your way to help other people, without being asked to do so, is one of the great trademarks of Christian faith in action. This may require you to take a back seat, to play second fiddle, to let the other person have his way—all to the end that Jesus Christ may be honored and glorified through your life. This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages at www.walkwiththeking.org. Used with written permission.
