Submission Series: Part 2: Submission vs. Alignment: Why I'm Determined to Change my "Tune"

SUBMISSION, PART 1 RECAP

In the first installment in this "Submission" series, we looked at "Submission: A Surprising Key, now updated to "Submission: A Surprising Key to Peace, Power, Love, and Sound Mind." I shared about how submission to God brings peace and freedom from fear and the ability to operate in His power, love, and sound mind. We learned that, as a believer, submission to God means submitting to an all-powerful and all knowing, all seeing perfect Father Who is Himself, Love. The corollary is that not submitting to His love opens us up to bondage to a spirit of fear which wreaks havoc on our lives. 

SUBMISSION, PART 2 - SUBMISSION VS. ALIGNMENT

This will be a somewhat shorter post but I believe a very important one. This post also deals with the issue of SUBMISSION, albeit a subsequent point than submitting to God in the first place. Here I will deal with a term I tend to use with greater and greater frequency. However, I am determined to change my tune and to say the word submission instead of one that is not synonymous but used as if it were. That word that is a very popular term in contemporary Christianity is ALIGNMENT. This is, admittedly a term I use quite often in terms of alignment with God's plan for our lives. Another word that is used is the word AGREEMENT. Now two of these three words are found in the Bible: Submission and Agreement. Alignment is not. What's the big deal you ask? I believe there is a significant difference and that we need to get back to the Biblical term and meaning lest we lose the effectiveness of Submission. I intend to change my tune, perhaps you might, too.

This post is about differentiating between the terms submission, which is not very popular in today's environment or culture, and alignment, which is much more palatable in our culture today. However, nowhere in Scripture do I see anything about aligning with God, either explicitly or implicitly. Always, there is the sense of submitting to God's will because He is the superior force, He lovingly points us in the right direction, obedience leads to blessing, and disobedience leads to very bad circumstances, whether or not you are comfortable with the term curses. To disobey God, takes us out of the covenantal relationship of GRACE and places us back under the LAW and its impossible standards. It may not happen the first time, but habitually disobeying God is a sign of not wanting Him as Lord and Savior so that His protective hand recedes from our lives in greater measure leaving us as targets for the enemy of our souls.

I believe when we veer away from biblical standards and terminology we lose something in the meaning as well as the force and power of the words. Obviously, this does not apply to everything but when a word like "submission" has been replaced with "alignment" as different as those meanings are, we begin to lose sight of what God means to convey and therefore, the true effect of the word.

THE WORDS & THEIR MEANINGS

Let's take a look of the meanings of these three words: Submission, Agreement, and Alignment. We will then focus specifically on "Submission vs. Alignment."

1. Submission means, "yielding to a superior force". 

God is clearly the Superior Force. He does not run His Kingdom by committee, although He allows us to partner in the work of the Kingdom, there is a reason we are called His children. We are not His equals, no matter how friendly we are with Him. Jesus was given all authority over everyone but the Father. We submit to God. 

James 4:7:"Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. In the home, the woman is to submit to her husband, but the husband is also to submit to the wife. He is, however, the leader in the home.

2. Agreement means, "harmony, accordance, [concurrence] in opinion or feeling."

Agreement signifies equal power to disagree or agree. Harmony carries with it a sense of equality. We are not equal to God in authority. He is King and Father. Where the Bible speaks of agreement, it is not agreement between man and God but man and man. 

Amos 3:3: "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed."  

Matthew 18:19: "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."

3. Alignment means "arrangement in a straight line, or in correct or appropriate relative positions" or "a position of agreement or alliance". 

In other words, this alignment can be either lateral (side by side). Horizontal alignment implies that the parties are on equal footing, where is no indication of hierarchy. Alignment may also be vertical; however, this would add ambiguity to the term. Is it horizontal or vertical alignment? By simply using the word "alignment," we have no idea. That is unless you add the words vertical or horizontal and even then, there is no indication of submission. Only "submission," or a synonym, means submission. Therefore, the word, "submit" would work best if a hierarchy is being communicated. But notice that the word "alignment" can square with the word "agreement" more than it can with the word "submission." However, there is no indication of yielding to a superior force as alignment and agreement often signal equality.

MORE ABOUT SUBMISSION IN SCRIPTURE

Jesus' submission to God in the Garden of Gethsemane

Since Jesus is our Model, this bears repeating. The Lord clearly had a choice whether to go to the Cross and die for all of mankind to be redeemed to God. He was determined to remain submitted to God even to death, when "He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39). As One under authority, He deferred to the will of the Father. Jesus, God incarnate, submitted to His Father. It was not about alignment but submission; He was under the authority of the One Who had sent Him. The Gospels are particularly full of Scriptures where He is referring to His Father as the One who sent Him, Who gave Him authority, and Who He sought to please at all times. We must never forget that while Jesus was engaged in His earthly ministry, He did not equate Himself with God but submitted Himself under the rule of His Father. In that way, He showed us how to do submit to God's rule.

The Centurion and Jesus reaction to his discernment

Matthew 8:9 - "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Here, the Roman centurion recognizes that Jesus does nothing of His own will but in submission to God in everything. Jesus was amazed at this man's understanding of the Kingdom. To be under authority is to be in submission.

Paul on submission

Ephesians 5:22: "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." (And also in Colossians 3:18.)

This is self-explanatory with the understanding that the husband is himself submitted to the Lord. So think of God's umbrella of protection and covering over the husband, while the husband is the umbrella of protection and covering over the wife.

Romans 10:1-4: "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. ² For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

Here, Paul was referring to Israel and their zeal for God without actual knowledge of God because they were not submitted to Him but their own idea of righteousness. No doubt Paul was referring to the adherence to Moses' law when Christ the fulfillment of the Law had come. Change had come, the Deliverer they yearned for from the very beginning had been sent by God but they failed to recognize Him. Instead, most of them dug their heels into their status quo, refusing to bend to the One they claimed to serve . 

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject [submitted] to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

 God supports social order and governmental authority. It is difficult for some that even bad leaders are subject to, whether or not they realize it, and that God appoints them for reasons He alone completely understand. But if we hearken back to rulers like King Saul, the people asked for a human ruler instead of God, and so they were given one. Saul was not a submissive King but he was placed in his position by God. David, on the other hand was submitted to God, in spite of his failings. He was a man after God's heart. 

A very important caveat to submitting to man's rule: 
Laws from any government, which are in derogation of  God's laws are not be obeyed. It is better to offend man than to offend God.

Peter on Submission

1 Peter 2:13-17: "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme or ¹⁴ to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bond servants of God.¹⁷ Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

Like Paul, Peter also weighed in on submission to the ruling authorities in honor of God, who rules all. But this passage is laden with practical advice for success as a good citizen. 

1 Peter 5:5: "Likewise you younger people,submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Here Peter addresses the young, offering counsel about submitting to elders, as well as to one another. Can you imagine what this world would be like if we really did this. 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love would be a breeze as we would not be seeking our own, we'd be kinder and more other-centered. Such richness here in the Scriptures. But when we think about it, the Lord Jesus Christ operated in the ultimate humility be laying down his glory in heaven to put on human flesh to live among us. However, the best reason, albeit a bit self-serving, is that God is not with the proud, He resists the proud but to the humble gives His grace. 

So when we leave the original meaning and intent of God's Word, we lose the power and force of what He means to accomplish through it. By trying to whitewash and make biblical concepts more palatable we have lost the power of what God is saying. There is a reason He uses the word submit. It's a hard one and everyone loves their independence, especially in America. But it's always better to go with God says over what makes us feel good. 

In the Old Testament, you certainly did not see anything about alignment, neither the word nor the concept, and even in the New Testament, you would be hard pressed to see any need to "align" or even "agree" with God. Don't get me wrong. It's great to agree and align with God but it's not the principal thing. If we trust Him, we would submit, plain and simple. These two terms, agreement and alignment, are more for the sake of unity among us humans. God does not need agreement, although it's always better for all involved when we agree with Him. But we do best for ourselves and everyone involved to submit to Him. A life submitted to God and godly leaders is a life of peace and blessing, even if not the case externally, it certainly is the case internally. 

3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

I am determined to change my tune and will be aiming to change my constant use of the word "alignment" with God's will to "submission" to God's will and His Word. God is not looking for alignment, because He does nothing by committee, as much as He is seeking those who will submit. Submission to God brings a life of blessings, defiance robs us of our peace with God and welcomes the influences of the evil one. Which would you prefer? 

Submission Series: Part 1: A Surprising Key to Power, Love, and Sound Mind

Thankful for this morning's lesson from God. I am thankful for all of His lessons but this was a great one! It's so much better when first thing we do upon awakening is focus on God and engage with Him to learn our lesson(s) of the day. That's what I encountered this morning on the last day of January as we head into the second months of the year. This is a key that will help you as well as those over whom you have influence. 

If I could sum up my current ministry, something I've been thinking a lot about lately, I would say after my ministry to the Lord Himself, it is to the foreknown ("pre-saved") ones, the believing sick, the mature believer seeking to go deeper and further in Him, and finally to those who are seeking their purpose and destiny. In other words, my function is to help to equip the body of Christ by assisting them in removing the roadblocks to their own ministries.  That is a tremendous help to me because we all need to know the ones to whom we are called. But that can be another post for another day: "Know the Ones to Whom You are Called." However, we all have a calling to share our testimony with others about what God has done in our own lives. It's the Good News of the Gospel, which one can argue with. After all, the Gospel is 'Good News" not a good argument. But back to this post, it is definitely one of those posts that ministers to me and I hope ministers to you as well.

So today we are discussing the subject of ... the big "S" - SUBMISSION. That is, submission as we observe it in the life of Jesus Christ: This is a necessary posture to operating in the power of God. God taught me this lesson in the teachable way He usually does when He reveals kingdom matters. He has a way of breaking it down for me so that I can live it and pass it on to others who are ready and willing to hear and to do what the Ultimate Teacher, Holy Spirit, is teaching.

Today, He focused on a subject that I have never heard adequately taught, at least not in a way that makes me want to be first in line to do it. 

Submission is just not one of those things we get excited about, and I believe it's mostly because we do not truly understand it. I must admit I did not truly get it until the Lord revealed to me. Perhaps it's simply because I was not ready for the revelation before now. In the fullness of time He brought me to a place where I could not only understand submission and the need for it, but also the desire to walk it out.  

For me, submission has always been a bit nebulous. In all my years as a believer in as many churches as I've had the privilege to attend and participate, I can barely count on one hand, if any, the sermons I have heard on this subject of submission. At least, I have not heard it taught in a properly  balanced and God-focused way it should. Most churches where submission is "the main thing", it's usually about submitting to a larger-than-life pastor in an uncomfortably absolute, almost despotic way. In other words, not in a God-focused way. That is not what God meant as we observe the life of Jesus in submission to His Father. That submission was and is based on a love relationship that is itself absolute. With that said, I believe what the Lord shared with me this morning will help many who, like me, have struggled in this area but are willing to heed it the way God intends us to. This is really good!

So what did the Lord say in my spirit that stopped me in my tracks and made me take note that He really wanted me to get this. The statement went something like this.

"WITH SUBMISSION TO THE LORD COMES A PEACE THAT IS INCOMPARABLY AND INEXPLICABLY COMPLETE." 

In other words, once I submit to God, I have a peace that cannot be compared or explained as it is not of this world. The result is a state of completeness that cannot be achieved in any other way. That peace means: "I NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING EVER AGAIN. PERIOD."

Now before I delve deeper into that statement, when I say submission, I am not referring to the submission of a slave to a slave master, but as a child to an unconditionally perfectly loving Father. If, for example, I know my Dad loves me and cares for me in every way, I have absolute TRUST in Him. Add to that, my Dad is the most powerful Being in the universe. As a matter of fact, my Dad created the universe. I know that with my Dad I have ABSOLUTE SECURITY. Nothing can harm me without my Dad knowing and acting upon it. Add to that again, my Dad owns everything, I know that I don't have to worry about being in want of anything because I know in Him I have absolute PROVISION. 

Of course, I am not ignoring that there is evil in the world or that there are in fact needs all around us. I know there are. The key is that I know there is no need to "worry" about these things but to trust that it will not last forever. How about the fact, that I am never out of my Dad's sight; He is always with me. This way I now that I never have to FEAR anyone or anything. Are you getting happy yet?

Now in the scenario above, I am referring to those who have accepted Jesus and have allowed Him to not only be their savior but also their Lord. This is the only way that God becomes our Father, just as He is Jesus Father. Those who are not yet and have not yet heard this great news, called the Gospel, this is how you can become a child of God based on Jesus sacrificial death on the Cross. Jesus made way for us to be adopted into the family of God. That is where, those who have accepted His sacrificial gift to become sons of daughters of God can play a role guided by His Spirit, in His plan for the world - it's called the plan of salvation. The plan of salvation is simply the plan of how God chose to get His family back from the Fall in Garden of Eden that brought an eternal separation between  Him and all of mankind.

This not just good news; it's the best news. As a believing Christ-follower, our Dad is all-powerful and all-loving. There is no army strong enough, no earthly king or ruler powerful enough, and no force mighty or wise enough to overpower or outmaneuver Him. HE IS KING OVER ALL. And if you do not know Him yet as Father, today is your day, if you would submit to this PERFECT ALL-POWERFUL LOVING FATHER.  And if He is not your Dad yet, what are you waiting for, more reasons? Well hold on; we are about to explore more about submission to God, so stay with me to the end. I am trying you save you years of very hard lessons.

Remember the statement that began the lesson from the Lord, "WITH SUBMISSION TO THE LORD COMES A PEACE THAT IS INCOMPARABLY AND INEXPLICABLY COMPLETE." That means there is a supernatural peace that comes with submitting to God. Therefore, if you are experiencing a lack of peace or any kind of persistent anxiety (we all have our moments), then you need to check your level of submission to God in the particular area where you are lacking peace. Again, the submission can be in a particular area in your life, or more if you have never trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Perhaps it's not in everything and some other areas are submitted to God, but in others, you are in a state of worry, or perhaps even panic. I pray by the end of this post, you have a revelation of God's love and desire to bring deliverance and complete freedom to those who submit to Him in everything. 

So, I encourage you to take a moment to take stock and check yourself. Is that particular area of worry submitted to God? Are you? Most likely it's not or there is a disconnect somewhere. God is faithful to reveal our areas of need as we humble ourselves and come to Him as our loving Father. Jesus paid the price for us to be able to do so. But this is not condemnation, this is where freedom and deliverance can come in. Let me break it down as the Holy Spirit broke it down to me.

Here is the progression for better, to those who are not but are seeking to do so, or worse, for those who are not and do not intend to do so. SUBMISSION IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY TO EVERYTHING ABOUT LIVING A PEACEFUL AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE ACCORDING TO GOD"S STANDARDS. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A PROPER VIEW OF THE WORLD, AND YOUR LIFE WITHOUT THIS ABSOLUTE NECESSITY. FURTHER, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SUBMIT TO HUMAN LEADERS WITHOUT PROPER SUBMISSION TO GOD. That's for me, right there. I sensed the Holy Spirit was pointing to me on that one. Thank God, He does not give up on us when others do. 

THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE

Here is the crux of this post and this issue for the purposes of this post: SUBMISSION AFFECTS YOUR LEVEL OF PEACE, YOUR LEVEL OF PEACE DIRECTLY AFFECTS YOUR HUMAN SPIRIT, SOUL, AND PHYSICAL BODY. WHERE THERE IS A LACK OF PEACE, THERE IS A LEVEL OF FEAR, AND SOON AFTER, A SPIRIT OF FEAR. WHERE THERE IS A SPIRIT OF FEAR, POWER, LOVE, AND SOUND MIND ARE AT GRAVE RISK. 

How do I know this? The Bible diagnoses these conditions: "FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT A FEAR, BUT [A SPIRIT] OF POWER AND [A SPIRIT OF] LOVE, AND OF A [SPIRIT OF A] SOUND MIND." 2 Timothy 1:7. [Information in brackets added as implied by word "of"]. We will take all of those areas separately in their relation to 'submission'. 

Submission and Power

The Scripture above tells me that a lack of submission first affects the power of God in our lives to live for Him in being who He has called us to be, power to be His son or daughter and in total alignment with Him. But that's the power in our own lives. Then there is the power to represent the Kingdom into the life of others, bringing healing to the sick, and liberty to the captive as mandated in Luke 9:2; Matthew 10:8; Luke 10:9, and others. Yes, power is important to demonstrate God's work in our lives and in the lives of others. Without His power, we cannot do anything of Kingdom consequence,

Submission and Love

Submission brings us peace, and subsequently our freedom from fear, which then affects the level of love in effect in our lives. The power to receive His love, as we submit to God, casts out all fear (1 John 4:18), and power to give His love to others. In addition, True love is never something that starts with us. To truly love is to know God's love and to let Him love others through us. Everything else is simply attraction, hence the rate of divorce when that attraction wears off and there is no longer a motivation to remain together. In addition, "love will covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8. And here Peter referred to a "fervent love" not a passionless one. 

What does this LOVE look like? According to 1 Corinthians 13: 
"LOVE is patient...
kind..
does not envy...
does not parade itself...
is not puffed up...
does not behave rudely...
does not seek its own...
is not provoked...
thinks no evil...
does not rejoice in iniquity...
but rejoices in truth...
bears all things...
believes all things...
hopes all things...
endures all things...
[AND]

.. LOVE NEVER FAILS."

Now that's a very tall order. But what if you were to replace the word "love" for God who came to earth in the form of Jesus, Holy Spirit Who is here with us now to lead us into all truth in Jesus. WE SEE THAT GOD'S LOVE HAS ALL OF THESE ATTRIBUTES AND ONLY IN CHRIST CAN WE EVER LOVE THIS WAY. WITHOUT HIM, THIS KIND OF LOVE IS IMPOSSIBLE. 

Again we are a discussing a spirit of fear that comes from a lack of submission to God.

Submission and Sound Mind

As if that weren't enough, there is the state of the human mind in relation and in response to submission to God. The lack of peace, meaning there is some level of fear in the life, will end up affecting the soundness of the mind. That's what the Scripture says. And I do believe it's a progression. First the spirit of fear affects the power, then the love, then the mind....leading to a level of insanity. That means a sound mind believes in God, trusts in God, and has faith in God. I am not referring to our momentary lapses of faith; I mean the persistent rejection of God will lead to a level of insanity because there will be no true peace. That's what the word of God demonstrate. For example, there once was a king named Nebuchadnezzar, who lifted up himself in pride against God and literally went insane. Yet after 7 years living like an animal in the wilderness he acknowledged that God was supreme and submitted to Him. It was then that he regained his sanity and his kingdom. See the account in Daniel 4, especially vv. 28-37.

"Sound mind", or sanity, is the third attribute affected by the choice of whether or not to submit to God. Yes, I believe many forms of insanity, even some types of dementia, can be traced to a defiance, lack of submission to, or faith in, God. Not always, but perhaps more often than we think insanity issues stem from rejecting God or His ways. Insanity robs a person of their independence and dignity. On the contrary, a sound mind, and one in alignment with God, can lead those who submit to Him to living a tremendously victorious life. An unsound mind ranges in its levels of 'insanity." Actually, some forms of "insanity" are quite acceptable in society, especially the ones supposedly treated with medication. We see it all the time in movies and being played out in society, people living their lives and making decisions based on fear. Left unchecked, fear can lead to serious mental instability.

With all of the above said, the more important reason to submit to God is not only peace with God but to know who we are and why He has placed us hear. That is the main purpose of this blog as we are learning to Walking in Fulfillment of our destinies.

SUMMING IT UP

So let's see where we are in our discussion. God tells us that submitting to Him gives us victory over the devil when He says, "SUBMIT TO GOD, RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU."  James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:4. Many times, we have seen and heard this James 4:7 Scripture quoted without the first part. However, WITHOUT THE FIRST PART (SUBMIT TO GOD), THE SECOND PART (RESIST THE DEVIL) IS IMPOSSIBLE.  God does not give us that spirit of fear, but the devil does. However, in submitting to God and resisting Satan, the evil one cannot hang around long enough to put a spirit of fear, or anything else, on us. 

Do you see how this works circularly? And we know that anything Satan gives is designed to "steal...kill...and destroy..." John 10:10. But whatever we receive from the Lord is designed to "give us life...and it more abundantly." (also John 10:10). By the way, this and all these Scriptures are great ones on which to meditate and memorized for internal transformation and for those challenging times when embroiled in a battle. So submitting to God is not just a luxury for the super spiritual, it is absolutely necessary for all who identify themselves as believers in Jesus Christ.

Also important to memorize, meditate upon, and walk out in challenging times of being at war with a spirit of fear is 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:

"For though we walk in the flesh we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

Let's remember that "God is love" (1 John 4:16). There is "no fear in love". (1 John 4:18). Submitting to God is submitting to Love. Once we submit to God in trust and faith that His desire is to cherish, love, protect, bless, and prosper us, submitting to Him is not so hard after all. Resting in that brings a divine peace over our lives that gives us a firm foundation that nothing can shake.  We can then walk in the power, love, and sound mind that comes with submission and peace with God. 

My friend and fellow journeyman, I have brought the word of the Lord in as convincing a way I know how, and perhaps at times the Holy Spirit has convicted you with this message of submission to God that the Lord taught me (yesterday morning). Although we should not have faith in  other human beings, our faith in God is well founded because He is worthy of our total and complete trust. He is worthy of our love and adoration because Who else would sacrifice a part of Himself, namely His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ for imperfect beings like us? Only a God of love. In Him we may place all of our faith, love and trust. In submitting to Him with all of the benefits, present and eternal, we can have peace so that we can say in earnest: "It is well with my soul."

I leave you with this powerful Scripture: 1 John 4:16-18 (Please read entire chapter, especially from v. 7)

"And we have know and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in Him. 

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not be made perfect in love." 

May God bless you with His everlasting gift of love and favor to advance His will and His Kingdom in the earth. This is the heritage of His saved sons of daughters.  

Note: If this post has been used to help you in the area of submission in any way, please post a comment. Thank you.