Subjection

by McCormick, F. | Category: Subjection | Jul 1957

It is within this sphere of divine rule that the Holy Spirit teaches us regarding our relationship as between saint and saint in the House of God. It may be that we have given. little thought to this matter, but the Scriptures are not silent about it, for we read, " Subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ " (Ephesians 5.21) and alongside this we should place, "In all lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself" (Philippians 2. 3). Perhaps there are no more humbling scriptures than these. They put us in our right position with one another. They come home to our hearts. It is not what my brother should be to me, but what I should be to him, whether he responds or not. There must be no room for "superiority complex." I am not better than my brother, I must count him as better than myself. Granted, with the pride that dwells in each one of us, this is a task most difficult, calling for much grace and love; but it lies at the foundation of happy relationships among the people of God. It is true that each one of us differs as to our natural temperament, but here the Holy Spirit can operate in each one, so that in subjecting ourselves one to another, there will be that earnest exercise of heart before God to be of the same mind and of the same judgement, which will go a long way to fulfilling the mind of God as expressed in Psalm i33. 1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

The responsibility of overseer to overseer is also a matter of vital importance in this connexion. Just as subjection one to another among saints will have its accompanying blessings so the Word gives instruction as to how overseers should behave one toward another. The Master Himself gave an indication of this when He said, "Whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant" (Matthew 20.26, 27). True greatness lies in being the willing servant. This is shown forth in the words of the Lord, "The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister."

He ministered to all around Him, and God could say of Him, "Behold, My Servant ... in whom My soul delighteth" (Isaiah 42. 1). In their relations one with another the overseers should manifest the same spirit, and the word of exhortation to them is, "Likewise, ye younger, be subject to the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility to serve one another" (1 Peter 5.5). As it is enjoined upon overseers to be subject one to another, so the word to the saint is to be subject to the overseers. This is not a matter of being under the slavish domination of the overseers, who in this respect are spoken of as in the plural, indicating a united mind and judgement; but is an acknowledgement of the claims of God upon those who are found in churches of God. It has pleased God to place elders in the churches of God. This has always been His mode of government, whether in the wilderness, or in the land, as seen in Israel, or in churches of God as seen in the New Testament today. It needs to be constantly borne in mind that overseers are not made by the churches, neither by election nor any other human means. This is the work of the Holy Spirit Himself (Acts 20.28), and to set oneself against those who have been divinely called to this work is to set oneself against the authority of the Holy Spirit, and is consequently manifesting insubjection to the will of God. What saith the Scripture?

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13.17).

"But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake" (1 Thessalonians 5.12, 13).

Now we come to a matter of vital importance, namely, the manifestation of subjection in the church by the demeanour of those who are within. We are not now referring to subjection to overseers, but have in view the gathering together of God's people, as such, for the Remembrance of the Lord. A careful perusal of 1 Corinthians 11.1-16 will reveal the importance of this. We have in mind that the Holy Spirit throughout the epistle has been setting things in order so that the Remembrance can be kept without reproach, to the glory of God, and before this can be done, subjection must be seen in operation both in brethren and sisters. The theme first of all is Headship,

The Head of Christ is God,

The Head of the man is Christ,

The head of the woman is the man.

It is quite clear from this passage (1 Corinthians 11.8) that the man praying with his head covered, dishonours his Head, which is Christ, while the woman with uncovered head dishonours her head, the man. In this passage the need of subjection when the assembly is in assembly is brought home with force. It would be unseemly for a man to appear in assembly with long hair, for by so doing he would be intimating to all that he was not in subjection to his Head, while it would be equally unseemly for a woman to appear in assembly with short hair, for by her action she intimates her lack of subjection to her head. This is vitally important to the proper functioning of a church of God in relation to divine service.

Further, we see subjection again in the services of God's people in the exercise of spiritual gifts when the church is together in church. There must be silence on the part of the woman as far as the leading of the assembly and ministry are concerned (this does not refer to the saying of the audible "Amen" at the giving of thanks, or to the singing of hymns).

"Let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law."

(1 Corinthians 14.84).

"Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness."

(1 Timothy 2.11, 12).

By their silence when "in church" the women manifest their subjection, and play an important part in letting all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14.40).

An important feature in the theme of subjection is the relation of husband and wife. Despite the tendency of present-day thought which constantly cries for equality of the sexes, the word of God has not changed from old times. Witness the word of God to the woman, "Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." (Genesis 3.16). This decree stands unaltered in the divine record. This is the will of God, and those who would be disciples of the Lord should heed the word. Notice the importance laid upon it:

"Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, as unto the Lord." (Ephesians 5.22),

(1)For the husband is the head of the wife (Ephesians 5.22),

(2)As is fitting in the Lord (Colossians 3.18),

(3)That the word of God be not blasphemed (Titus 2.5),

(4)That even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behaviour of their wives (1 Peter 3.1).

Ponder the foregoing well for here we have the results of obeying the word of God.

Then we come to the matter of masters and servants. We cannot disguise the fact that we are living at a time when servants are becoming masters. In workshops today they have taken over the reins of government, and are a law unto themselves. They pride themselves in this lawlessness. Beloved, these things ought not to be. The child of God should have no part in this lawless behaviour. He will truly be a marked man by his fellows, but better be marked as a man with a conscience toward God than an evil-doer who sets aside the word of God. How are we to serve?

Not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as UNTO THE LORD, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free" (Ephesians 6.6-8). Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as UNTO THE LORD, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance : ye serve the Lord Christ. For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done : and there is no respect of persons " (Colossians 3.23.25). " That the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed"

(1 Timothy 6.1).

"Exhort Servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things" (Titus 2.9, 10). This is acceptable with God" (1 Peter 2.20).

Consider well the above, and note the solemn obligation of the disciple towards his earthly master. What he does may not be acceptable to his fellows, but God is above all.

In closing, we would refer to that in which the Lord Jesus is an Example, that is, subjection to those who are in high place, insomuch as that subjection does not violate the conscience of the disciple by running athwart the word of God. Taking things generally the path of subjection is a reasonably easy one today, living as we do under excellent laws which do not offend, but which, by reason of their leniency, help us to carry out the word of God in many ways. It has not always been so with the disciple. His way has at times been hard, persecution and privation have been his lot, yet the injunction of Scripture does not permit him to have hard thoughts relative to those who are in high place. He must pray for them (1 Timothy 2.2). He must be in subjection-" for the Lord's sake " (1 Peter 2. 18) and "for conscience sake" (Romans 13.5).

"Render to all their dues : tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (Romans 13. 7).

And while as Christians we should have no part in the political activities and thoughts of those around us, but so honouring those who are in high place by our subjection, we shall at the same time be honouring Him who said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." For Christ pleased not Himself, and He said,

"LEARN OF ME."

McCormick, F. | Jul 1957
Subjection