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Christian Living

Spiritual Life

General Bible Courses

Chapter 7: Submission and Solitude

Overview

IN THIS CHAPTER, you will discover:

- The practice of submission.

- The practice of solitude. 

AS A RESULT, you will be able to:

- Unlock your faith by submitting to God and others.

- Deepen your communion with God through meditation and journaling.

The Practice of Submission

Reading: The Power and Blessing, pp. 131-42.

Key Scripture: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph. 5:21).

Key Word: Antinomianism.

The preceding lessons have dealt with two of Dr. Hayford’s “essentials that remove limits”: the release of forgiveness and the pathway of integrity. We now deal with a third: the spirit of submission. It may seem paradoxical that submission brings freedom. Yet Jesus lived the very model of the submitted life, and no one in history ever displayed more dynamism or exercised more dominion and authority than our Lord.

We noted earlier that most people react negatively to the word “submission.” It seems somehow un-American and contrary to the democratic concept of inalienable rights. It is somehow out of touch with the spirit of the age, which extols autonomy above every other virtue. From a contemporary perspective, we only submit to another if beaten or subjugated. To be in a position of submission is to be a doormat; to be mastered and dominated. Submission implies intimidation and humiliation.

Even many Christians may feel there is something vaguely suspect about the idea of submission. After all, didn’t Christ set us “free indeed” (John 8:36)? Aren’t we supposed to be living under grace, not under any compulsion or legalism (Rom. 6:14)? Didn’t Paul say “everything is permissible” (1 Cor. 6:12) and that our freedom is not to be judged by another’s conscience (1 Cor. 10:29)? Isn’t the Spirit of the Lord the very spirit of freedom (2 Cor. 3:17)?

Because in a fundamental sense we are all equal before Christ, there has been an erosion of the idea of authority in popular Christian thinking. This creates the unquestioned assumption that we can do what we want because we are autonomous stewards of the liberty we have received under grace through Christ. This is a false assumption, however, and not an original one. In theological language, it is a type of antinomianism (from “no” [anti] “law” [nomos]). Antinomianism is the view that a person who is saved is freed from all moral obligations and principles.

Antinomianism was preached by heretical teachers in New Testament times. Many of Paul’s letters contain refutations of this view. If we look closely at the contexts of the references to freedom cited in the verses above, we can see how carefully Paul balanced the concepts of freedom and responsibility. In the passage in Romans he said: “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness” (6:18-19; see vv. 20-22 as well). After discussing the positive meaning of the Corinthians’ slogan “everything is permissible,” he concluded: “ ‘Everything is permissible’ — but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’ — but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Cor. 10:23-24).

The point of both these scriptures is that true spiritual liberty does not consist of freedom from accountability. This is a secular misunderstanding of the true nature of freedom. Rather, true liberty is freedom to obey the law of love. St. Augustine elegantly explained it this way: “With the Holy Spirit, by whose gift we are justified, we take delight in this, that we sin not — and that is liberty; without the Spirit we take delight in sin, and that is slavery.”

Rightly understood then, submission is integral to freedom. It is a free action that comprehends and expresses the law of love. We have looked at some misconceptions about submission. The latter part of our lesson will focus on two important aspects of what submission truly is. Submission, first of all, is the recognition of rightful authority; secondly, it is a decision or attitude of the heart.

What Submission Is: Recognition of Rightful Authority

Jesus’ encounter with the Roman centurion in Matthew 8:5-13 helps us understand the relationship between submission and authority. Rome was a mighty empire held together by a militaristic and political hierarchy that tolerated no internal challenge to authority. Orders were expected to be met with instant compliance. The consequence of disobedience was often mutilation or death. A centurion was so named because he had life-or-death authority over a hundred soldiers. His men respected and obeyed him as he respected and obeyed his superiors. The centurion was doubtless proud of his position and proud of the order of which he was a part. After all, Roman discipline had made the Romans the rulers of the civilized world.

What was astonishing — even to Jesus (v. 10) — was that the centurion recognized Jesus’ supernatural authority and unhesitatingly submitted to it. In making an analogy between his authority and Jesus’ (vv. 8-9), he expressed a humility and an absolute confidence in Jesus unmatched even by Jesus’ disciples (v. 10). Jesus identified the centurion’s attitude of submission and confidence as faith — an important point to which we will return.

The Greek term for submission, hypotasso, means “to place under”; “to subordinate, or be subject to.” For example, 1 Corinthians 15:27 states that Christ subjects all of the created order to Himself. In Romans 8:7 Paul noted that the flesh resists submission to God’s commands. The word was commonly seen in the Greek world to carry a military connotation suggesting an implicit ranking, order, or hierarchy (tasso means “to order or determine,” from tagma, “order or rank”).

The central significance of the term for us is this: As Christians, the parameters of our lives should be primarily defined by our relationship with God and secondarily in terms of our relationships with others. But the submission that is part of our primary relationship with God should have implications for our other relationships. Our horizontal connections with others should reflect our vertical connection with God. Indeed, as God has ordered the world, it is often through these very relationships that we give to and receive from God Himself (Matt. 25:40). Put simply, stewardship of our relationships is part of our discipleship before the Lord. Submission, then, is not a matter of saying who’s on top or who’s boss. Rather, it is recognition of and cooperation with God’s intended order — for our own good and for the greater good of all concerned.

Dr. Hayford sees the Bible calling us to learn submission in seven specific areas:

1. We are called to be submitted to God. True submission arises not only out of fear of the Lord and recognition of his ultimate authority, but also out of love for God and the genuine desire to please and glorify Him (Gen. 26:5; Eph. 5:24; Heb. 5:9; 12:9; James 4:7).

2. We are called to be submitted to God’s Word. As we submit to the commandments of God reflected in the wisdom of the Bible — the written “words of God” (Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12) — we are led forward on the path of salvation, righteousness, and blessing (Ps. 119; Rom. 10:3; John 8:31; 2 Tim. 3:16).

3. We are called to be submitted to others (Matt. 5:38-48). Submission to nonbelievers is not difficult if we correctly understand our motivation. Such submission is a reflection of the natural love and respect we should feel toward all persons because God’s love dwells in us. As we seek humbly to serve others in the power of God’s Spirit, we lead them to Christ through our example. Of course, such submission should not be carried out to the degree that we violate God’s laws (Acts 5:29), including His injunction that we should love and respect ourselves (Matt. 22:39).

4. We are called to be submitted to the body of Christ. This category of submission has been abused in recent years by leaders of the “shepherding movement,” who exercised inordinate control over the lives of those in their charge. Scripture warns us to beware of opportunistic false teachers and hypocrites (Matt. 23; 2 Peter 3:17; Jude 4-19). But more widespread is the damage caused by the lack of teaching in our churches about how to live as members of the family of God. As members of the one body of Christ, we are called into a relationship of holy interdependence. This manifests itself as a willingness to serve others and to be served; as compliance with pastoral leadership and church discipline; and as openness to allow God to minister to us through the discernment and prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ (Eph. 5:21; Rom. 12:10; 1 Cor. 16:15-16; 1 Peter 5:5-6; James 5:14-16).

5. We are called to be submitted to our earthly parents. Submission to parents (Luke 2:51; Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20; 1 Tim. 3:4) should also include our seniors (1 Peter 5:5). We are to honor our fathers and mothers throughout our lives (Ex. 20:12). This does not mean that they are to control us as adults. We are to be the leaders in the homes and families that we establish (Gen. 2:24).

6. We are called to be submitted to civil authority. Submission to civil authorities (Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13) should also include employers or “masters” (Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18) and teachers (Prov. 5:12-13; but see the note on Acts 5:29 above).

7. We are called to be submitted in marriage and family relationships. As we have seen, children should submit to their parents (Col. 3:20). Husbands and wives should submit to one another (see the Key Scripture). More specifically, wives should submit to their husbands as to the Lord (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18), offering them obedience and respect. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, sacrificing for them and caring for them (Eph. 5:25-33; Col. 3:19; 1 Peter 3:1-4).

The “submission clause” has, of course, been abused by some Christian teachers and husbands. But those who rightly understand the divine pattern of mutual care between husband and wife portrayed in Scripture realize that the Christian ideal of marriage is the most elevated known to humanity. As Paul said, it is a “profound mystery” reflecting the supernatural love between God and His redeemed people. (See the Topical Tie, “God’s marriage to his people,” NIV Topical Study Bible, p. 1450.) Any married couple who wants to experience a miracle firsthand need only try applying these transformative principles in their relationship.

What Submission Is: An Issue of the Heart

Submission is a response to God and to others based on the recognition of rightful authority, not on the imposition of authority, even rightful authority. Submission is a response that God desires from us, not a posture into which He will bend us. Submission is an act of our will, and as such, is an issue of the heart — a very important one.

The story of the centurion shows that Jesus defined the centurion’s response to Jesus’ rightful authority as “great faith” (Matt. 8:10). Faith that powerful makes things happen: the centurion’s servant was instantly healed (v. 13). And who can doubt that the centurion’s encounter with Jesus was not life-changing for him as well? Thus learning submission must be seen as a necessary and essential key to unlocking the deeper resources of faith.

Recall Jesus’ words from the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). Submission is indeed one of “the essentials that remove limits” in spiritual growth. Through the practice of submission we become a blessing to others (Gen. 22:18) and are blessed ourselves. Perhaps the most profound blessing we receive is the ability to know Christ more deeply as our Lord. As we become “obedient children” (1 Peter 1:14) and walk with Him in this way, we pass on to deeper levels of spiritual intimacy with God, in which He becomes more manifestly our loving Father, our confidant, and our constant friend.

Key Concepts:

1. True or False. The “Lone Ranger” order of independence is to be the norm for the Christian life. [132]

2. Biblical submission (does, does not) exploit, manipulate, or dominate others. [132]

3. Perhaps the clearest New Testament teaching on submission involves an/a (agricultural, military) analogy. [133]

4. There (is, is not) a God-ordained order for every facet of life. [134]

5. True or False. Christians are to submit to spiritual authority. [135]

6. True submission must be (forced, volunteered). [136]

7. Arenas in which the spirit of submission must be manifested are marriage, family, work, and ______________. [137-38]

8. The spirit of the kingdom of God is the spirit of (power, love). [139]

9. The word “ ” implies protection by virtue of yielding to or accepting an overseeing and loving authority. [140]

10. True or False. All sin results from the rejection of our place in God’s order of things. [140]

11. True or False. While we should be submitted to God, it is not necessary to be submitted to a local body of believers. [141]

12. Submission (does, does not) produce passive, insensitive saints who flop before any resistance. [142]

Further Study: Read “Obedience,” New International Dictionary of the Bible, p. 716; also review the scriptures under “Obedience,” NIV Topical Study BIble Topical Index, p. 121.

Life Application: Does your marriage express an understanding of the unique needs of men and women as explained by Ed and Nancy Cole? The top five needs for husbands are sexual fulfillment, recreational companionship, an attractive spouse, domestic tranquility, and respect. The top five needs for wives are affection, conversation, honesty and openness, financial security, and family commitment. Discuss these needs with your spouse and target problem areas. Remember: prayer produces intimacy and empowers us to meet our partner’s needs.

The Practice of Solitude

Reading: The Power and Blessing, pp. 143-56.   Key Scripture: "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16).   We live in an age of increasing scarcity. Among the resources that come to mind when we contemplate this trend are clean water, arable land, and native forests. But another very real and important casualty of the pace of modern living is time. Most of us dash through the days, weeks, and months of our lives at a breakneck velocity that allows little chance for personal reflection. Many women and men work two or more jobs to support themselves and their families. Statistics show that the American worker has never had less leisure time. But the danger is that in losing our leisure time we may in some sense be losing our souls as well.  

Do you feel guilty if you are not doing at least two things at once? It is notable that the word "haste" is derived from an old English-Saxon word for violence. The overwhelming apathy that we show toward nurturing and cultivating our inner lives is really equivalent to a kind of violence. For through it we wound ourselves by snuffing out our greater potentiality. We become stunted spiritually, like children who are ignored and fail to thrive. We forfeit by default the persons that we could become for God, for others, and for ourselves. Like untended gardens, our souls need attention, or they will become overgrown with the weeds of passion and avarice. The fruit of the Spirit is choked out by the cares of the world (Matt. 13:7, 22), and we grow calloused to spiritual things.  

The Meaning of the Sabbath  

The Decalogue - the Ten Commandments - remains the core ethical foundation of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Jesus certainly took them seriously (Matt. 5:17-19) and most Christians today consciously strive not to break these basic God-given guidelines. However, there is one commandment that we seem to break - or effectively ignore - with casual impunity: the fourth commandment concerning the Sabbath.  

After finishing the work of creation God rested on the seventh day: "And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy" (Gen. 2:3). According to the fourth commandment (Ex. 20:8-11), we are to imitate this divine rest on the day that God has blessed. There is a profound significance in God's institution of the Sabbath (meaning "to desist," "cease," or "rest"). It is not simply a religious reminiscence celebrated to honor God as Creator. Jesus made it clear that the Sabbath was a gift to humanity - one that met an innate need: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). Jewish rabbis have commented on the inestimable worth of the Sabbath and how it should function for the people of God. They compare it to an oasis of eternity in the desert of time and to a great cathedral. It is to be a blessed interlude of restoration and deep revitalization. The Sabbath is not primarily a time for recreation (though that has its place) but for re-creation; for being rejuvenated by abandoning ourselves into the arms of God and being nourished by His intimacy, His comradeship, His mystery.  

Jews celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday; most Christians celebrate it on Sunday. But the focus of our discussion is not the religious calendar (see Gal. 4:10). Rather it is the need to which the institution of the Sabbath points - solitude and intimate union with God. We need to breathe the Sabbath atmosphere of intimacy and communion with God daily if we are to live and grow in the Spirit.  

The Benefits of Solitude  

The importance of solitude in developing spirituality is visible in Scripture both in example and precept. Christ Himself routinely withdrew from the crowds and from His disciples to spend time alone with the Father in prayer (see the Key Scripture). The Psalms contain many injunctions recommending solitary prayer and meditation. Psalm 4:4 says: "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent." The famous directive, "Be still, and know that I am God" (46:10), might be paraphrased and amplified: "Let go of internal and external impediments; cease striving after things, so that your mind may know me, the true God; the Set-Apart and Holy One." The importance of solitude - of withdrawing from other concerns to concentrate upon God alone - is implicit in David's command. It is reflected also in Isaiah's words: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" (30:15).  

Quietness and solitude are necessary if we are to experience the searching familiarity with God that allows Him to try our hearts, reveal Himself to us, and transform us by the miracle of His presence. It is in solitude that the crust of shame and guilt that separates us from God and from others can be exposed and penetrated. As we dwell in solitude with God, we gain the courage to cease hiding from Him. We discover how to raise our hearts to Him to be healed. Learning to keep silent and merely to abide with God - simply to wait in His presence - is an act of high worship; one to which God responds by revealing Himself.  

Jesus said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3). The phrase "poor in spirit" suggests an attitude that is the opposite of spiritual pride and self-sufficiency. Those who have voluntarily made themselves poor by divesting themselves - if only temporarily - of the attachments that separate them from a wholehearted encounter with the Lord attain a special receptivity to the things of God. The importance of this attitude of single-minded openness to God is intimated in Jesus' parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl (Matt. 13:44-46).   Deep work is done upon the soul when it dwells in solitude with God. God desires to meet us in secret; in hiddenness: "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place" (Ps. 51:6). "The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them" (25:14). Jesus said: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matt. 6:6).  

Oswald Chambers, in his classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest (p. 236), offered this enlightening commentary on this verse:  

Jesus did not say - Dream about thy Father in secret, but pray to thy Father in secret. Prayer is an effort of will. After we have entered our secret place and have shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is pray; we cannot get our minds into working order, and the first thing that conflicts is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is the overcoming of mental woolgathering. We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful prayer.       

We must have a selected place for prayer and when we get there the plague of flies begins - This must be done, and that. "Shut thy door." A secret silence means to shut the door deliberately on emotions and remember God. God is in secret, and He sees us from the secret place; He does not see us as other people see us, or as we see ourselves. When we live in the secret place it becomes impossible for us to doubt God, we become more sure of Him than anything else. Your Father, Jesus says, is in secret and nowhere else. Enter the secret place, and right in the center of the common round you will find God there all the time. Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.  

Chambers allowed us to see that, paradoxically, learning to be in solitude with God liberates us to manifest His nature to the world at large. Find His presence in the secret place, and you will find it everywhere. Thus the practice of seeking God in prayerful solitude is not a kind of escapism. This is true, first, because as you encounter God in secret He will confront you with all the practical moral commissions and omissions that need to be righted in your life for your intimacy with Him to be deepened. In prayer you will be "with" the persons and responsibilities of your life in light of the scrutiny of God. This can be very intense indeed. In reality, we practice escapism far more commonly, not by retreating from the world but by immersing ourselves mindlessly in the midst of the crowd.  

Second, solitude with God is not escapism because it is solitude with God. Such true solitude is solidarity with the Father, and thus a doorway into reality. False solitude, on the other hand, involves only a retreat to the isolated individuality of our own thoughts and imagination. This is quite a different stance than that of God-directed prayer.  

Methods of Communion  

Dr. Hayford mentions two techniques that can open us to intimate communion with God - reflection and journaling. The Greek word for reflection, as used in Philippians 4:8-9 for example, suggests that we "tally" the goodness of God. This is the basis for the biblical practice of meditation. Throughout the Psalms David invited the reader to join him in contemplating the nature and significance of God's laws, works, and attributes, and of wisdom itself. By doing so we lift our hearts and minds to God. By remembering God's goodness and faithfulness to us, we strengthen our own faith, bringing confidence, clarity, and joy.  

Journaling is a very useful tool for stimulating spiritual growth and developing sensitivity to God's guidance. As you write, express your feelings honestly and openly to God. In the process of "thinking out loud" on paper, you will often find that your writing will serve to reveal insights that occur as you dialogue with God. This phenomenon is found in many psalms (see 38, 51, and 73 for examples). To have a record of such experiences is invaluable.  

Journaling is also an indispensable aid in helping articulate and preserve what the Holy Spirit says to us personally through our Scripture reading and prayer. If our spirituality may be defined as the sum of our responses to the "voice" of God, having a record of such insights is essential. It allows us to see where we have been with God, where we are now, and in what areas we should be seeking growth and change.   As you begin to spend time with God in solitude regularly, the entire tenor of your spiritual life - and thus of your life as a whole - will be changed. You will discover an amazing, liberating truth: that the answers to many perplexing mysteries, the balm for many emotional wounds that will not heal, and the strength to overcome those things that keep us in bondage and steal our joy, are often wordlessly made available to us through the simple experience of God's presence.  

Key Concepts:   

1.    True or False. The practice of solitude means recreation, vacation, and relaxation. [143]   

2.    The discipline of solitude means to be alone with the                          . [143]   

3.    A biblical example of solitude involves (Luke, Paul) when he walked from Assos to Troas. [144]   

4.    True or False. The general value of meditation is understood in every tradition and religion. [146]   

5.    True or False. The goal of Christian solitude is to develop the inner consciousness by becoming aligned with the universe. [146]   

6.    Solitude (can, cannot) be practiced in the midst of a regular schedule. [147-48]   

7.    True or False. All our behavior towards God must be performance-oriented. [148]   

8.    A companion discipline of solitude is reflection and                              . [151]   

9.    True or False. To journal is to write down poetic and profound thoughts that result from time with the Lord. [152]  

10.   In the atmosphere of solitude the Holy Spirit (will, will not) often speak to us. [154]  

Further Study: Read "Sabbath," New International Dictionary of the Bible, pp. 876-77; also review the scriptures under "Meditation," NIV Topical Study Bible Topical Index, pp. 108-9.   Life Application: Both Dr. Hayford and Dr. Rhoades testify to the dramatic benefits to be gained from spiritual retreats. Whether you follow Dr. Hayford's suggestions and set aside a day or half-day for a retreat at home, or, like Dr. Rhoades, attempt longer retreats away from home, put into practice what you have learned in this lesson. Ask whether your church or denomination has a retreat center you could use. Commit yourself to undertake a retreat and experience firsthand the benefits of prolonged solitude with God.

Take the quiz

Quiz Instructions

Review Questions

1. True or False. The 'Lone Ranger' order of independence is to be the norm for the Christian life.

True

False

2. Biblical submission ............ exploit, manipulate, or dominate others.

does

does not

3. Perhaps the clearest New Testament teaching on submission involves an/a ................ analogy.

agricultural

military

4. There ............... a God-ordained order for every facet of life.

is

is not

5. True or False. Christians are to submit only to civil authority.

True

False

6. True submission must be ...............

forced

volunteered

7. True or False. The spirit of submission must be manifested in the Christian marriage and family.

True

False

8. The spirit of the kingdom God is the spirit of ...................

power

love

9. The word ............... implies protection by virtue of yielding to or accepting an overseeing and loving authority.

shepherd

covering

10. True or False. While we should be submitted to God, it is not necessary to be submitted to a local body of believers.

True

False

11. Submission ................ produce passive, insensitive saints who flop before any resistance.

does

does not

12. True or False. The practice of solitude means recreation, vacation, and relaxation.

True

False

13. The discipline of solitude means to be alone with the .....................

Lord

Peace

14. A biblical example of solitude involves ............... when he walked from Assos to Troas.

Luke

Paul

15. True or False. The general value of meditation is understood in every tradition and religion.

True

False

16. True or False. The goal of Christian solitude is to develop the inner consciousness by becoming aligned with the universe.

True

False

17. Solitude ............... be practiced in the midst of a regular schedule.

can

cannot

18. True or False. All our behavior towards God must be performance-oriented.

True

False

19. True or False. To journal is to write down poetic and profound thoughts that result from time with the Lord.

True

False

20. In the atmosphere of solitude the Holy Spirit ............. often speak to us.

will

will not

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