Submission is one of those " Christianese" words that conjure up many thoughts, ideas and debates, even among secular people. The very thought of submission is enough to stir up contentions and frustrated emotions. In the context of modern day understanding, submission competes as a synonym with dominance.
The word Submission is derived from the Greek HUPEIKO, which is made up of two words,
HUPO meaning under and EIKO meaning to yield.
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines it as : yield, surrender, to submit to the discretion or decision of another.
Sub : means under
Mission: something to accomplish, an assignment to complete
There are many references in the Bible, the Word of God, in respect of submission but before we get there, let me contend with the popular view held that submission places one person above another, or depending from which view you take it, under another person!
When God created Adam and Eve, the very first thing He did, was to release the Blessing over them.
Gen 1:28 clarifies this, God SAID UNTO THEM
1 Be fruitful
2 Multiply
3 Replenish the Earth
4 Subdue the Earth
5 Have dominion over the fish, the fowl of the air, and every living THING that move upon the earth
In that order. That means that everything, except another human being, was under the control of Adam and Eve, since the blessing was equally distributed to both of them. Adam was not given greater control over things than Eve, Eve was given the same ability and authority to accomplish and fulfil the functions of the Blessing as Adam. The purpose of the Blessing was for THINGS to be under the stewardship of Adam and Eve. Those THINGS excluded other persons.
I want to progress and contend with the secular, and in many instances, Christian view (irrespective of denomination). It is often quoted when you enter into a relationship that each party must give at least 50% each to as to achieve the desired 100% for optimum success. That soon shifted when the realisation that 50% each did not achieve the desired result, hit humanity… That is just half a commitment each. To accomplish the greatest result, a simple accounting adjustment was made and the bar raised to 100% each. Yet, not even that seems to resolve the dilemma of brokenness. There was still a miscalculation somewhere.
The paradox is simple. Submission is not about what we are prepared to give. It is about what we are about to give up. The key lies in that which you are prepared to loose, in order to gain. Jesus was an amazing example of how to lose… how to give up… how to apply submission.
What did He lose?
Jesus never ever did what HE WANTED TO DO. He said: What My Father says, that is what I do.
ONLY. ALL THE TIME. UNTO DEATH.
submission
Tina Holloway
is a prophetic minister of the gospel, popular writer, motivational speaker, christian life coach, business woman, entrepreneur, mother of six children and grand mother to six grand children