pastoral musing

Learning on submission and its related issues
1 Definition of submission – voluntary obedience in love
2 Control – good or bad? denial of rights or pay for the consequence?
3 Discipline – is more than punishment. It is training for maturity
4 Can a husband expect submission? Yes but not good; God loves us but did not control us into submission. Submission is our choice. Choice brings consequences.
5 Failure to submit will bring forth the consequence and the person involved must be prepared for it. Blaming the consequence is not being conscious that it is a direct result of his choice.
6 Can a leader “control” the behaviour of his members by setting the boundary of freedom? Beyond which there will be “disciplinary” action?
7 The key issue is in the spirit of the so called “control” and “accountability”. If the spirit is punitive, the effects on people is more than the intention of building but tearing. Shepherd needs to be mindful of our representation of God to followers. God disciplines us when we choose not to submit to His word and will. But His love for us is not dependent on our obedience or submission; our ability to recognise or be deceived is clouded by our sin. Yet Grace is there to bring us back. God’s way is prompting us, lovingly, to obedience and not controlled obedience, dictated obedience. Key is really in the posture.
8 On the side of the leader
- be mindful how we implement the teaching of “submission” and “accountability”. It is not how but what is the spirit within us when we do so.
- allow grace to guide our posture in dealing with our followers
9 On the side of the followers
- listen to contrary advice with a teachable heart; ask ourselves why we are not open to this advice
- test our own spirit ie are we being rebellious
- consult godly advice
- be willing to submit, not just to man, to Godly advice.
- be prepared to humble all the way including facing the consequence of your choice.
10 I am still musing on this subject…hahaha….