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The Lord commands every Christian to be submissive to God-given authority (Eph 5:21). Wives are to be prime examples of this submission. They are to teach all Christians the peace, joy, freedom, and disciplines of submission (see Eph 5:22). Submission is not a man-made idea but a gift of God. Thus, God revealed to Paul to submit his ministry and preaching to the authority of the leaders of the Jerusalem church (Gal 2:1-2). In Paul's submission, he received affirmation from the Jerusalem leaders and also "the handclasp of fellowship" (Gal 2:9). Submission leads to affirmation and community. In effect, submission leads to peace and love. Submission has such good effects not primarily because of the excellence of the people in authority. For example, Cephas, that is, St. Peter, one of the Jerusalem leaders, blundered greatly in Antioch through his duplicity in his relations with Jewish and Gentile Christians (Gal 2:11ff). Submission works because God makes it work even when those in authority don't work out very well. Submission is a "sure thing" because God backs up His plans. Be submissive and rejoice. |
