Over the last couple of days I have been focusing on what the bible says about the bible and if it lines up with my beliefs. I went on chase that looked more like a dog after his tail than a girl in hot pursuit. I came to a couple of conclusions...
One, God has a mission for me, a plan for my life that only I can fulfill. Two, I believe in "Biblical Inerrancy", which is just a fancy term meaning I believe that bible is true from start to finish. Now that I have this as my basic understanding where does this leave me?
I, Becky Phipps, have the mother of all missions... It isn't one for wimps, oh no it is the ultimate mission. Actually we all have this mission, did you know YOU also have the mother of all missions?
"15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:15-20
Right before the Apostle Paul gives us instructions on how to live out practically the Christian life he drops this little bomb... Submitting, submitting, submitting, is clanging in my ears like a loud cymbal. We all love that word don't we? What, you have a problem with the word "submit"? It is just one little word, and don't we like the word "love" so much better. If it read, "love one another in the fear of God" we would embrace is like a warm, fuzzy blanket. Remember though, I believe in inerrency, that God chose every word for a reason. Want to know why the word submit is there and not any other word? Good, because I will tell you why.
Hypotassō is the Greek word here translated as our word "submit". It gives us a great picture into the heart and mind of God. Here is what the Blue Letter Bible says about Hypotassō , "This word was a Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden"."
God in his greatness is telling us now to not just win the battle but to win the war! When you look at Ephesians 5 and 6 you see God showing you his battle formation. First it starts with being wise with your time and days, being filled with the Holy Spirit, then submiting to others as you would the Lord himself. Loving God and loving people is simply demonstrated by your ability to submit. We as a believers spend so much wasted energy on fighting each other that we lose sight of the enemy and the war.
I am challenging you, all of you, to fall into the right formation so we can go and win God's war for the souls of all humanity. God wants his kids lined up for battle, ready to lock arms, and fight. If you are weary of the battle, maybe you are in the wrong position. So stand up, position yourself rightly, find the will of God and take on the mother of all missions... Will you join me in submitting?
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