Submission Is Belief In Action

By Fred Wikoff

Several years ago I helped a young friend negotiate a revised payment plan with a bank official on a car loan that he’d defaulted on. On the way back to his apartment I suggested that maybe now would also be a good time to get his spiritual life in order and start going to church.

He hesitated briefly than replied, “I would, but I want to be the one in charge of my life and make my own decisions.”

His answer left me speechless. It wasn’t so much his not wanting to yield . . . I understood his reluctance in a culture where submission is viewed as a weakness. What surprised me was his awareness that accepting Christ also meant yielding complete control of one’s life to Him.

It had taken me the better part of my life to fully grasp this truth. Even though I’d accepted Christ at a young age and worked long hours for his cause, I was slow to give him complete control of my life. And I learned the hard way that it’s not with obvious sinners Satan claims his biggest victories, but among believers that haven’t given Christ’s total control of their lives.

When I think of the unnecessary anxiety, wasted effort, and missed opportunities that my stubbornness caused, I can only shake my head in disbelief, and wonder . . . what if. I’m also reminded of Christ’s warning: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 If we are not in tune with God’s will, it matters little how hard we work, how successful we are, or how diligently we worship. And truthfully, when we fail to submit to him we actually deny his power and authority.

In many ways submission is belief in action. It’s putting your money where your mouth is, so to speak. And when we submit to Christ we not only give him complete control of our lives, but also proclaim our belief in him as our Lord and savior.

My friend had it right about giving control to Christ; but little did he realize that doing so would actually give him more freedom . . . not less. For when we submit to Christ, he takes much of the weight of the daily cross we must bear on his own shoulders; and gives us the assurance that He will provide the strength to conquer what’s left.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest . . . for my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Fred Wikoff writes from Eugene, Oregon. EugeneSpud2@Live.com