Subjection

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

We are living in an age of increasing lawlessness, and there is the grave danger that such lawlessness may creep in among the people of God. Democracy finds no place in God's dealings with His people. Christ is Lord, unto whom subject hearts should respond. The new birth has brought us into a relationship with God, which severs us from the things around, for God has a purpose in our redemption. True, we can, and do, rejoice in Christ as our Saviour, but the divine will is that we should confess Him as Lord (Romans 10. 9), for God hath made Him both Lord and Christ (Acts 2. 36); and thus, setting Him apart in our hearts as the supreme Authority therein, subjection and obedience will follow. True, to subject oneself to the authority of Christ will have its difficulties, and it is wise that we should count the cost. This the Lord made clear in Luke 14.25-83. It is always good for us to remember that He is above all our difficulties.

We get an insight into what may confront us in the three examples of Luke 9.57-62, "The Son of Man hath not where to lay His head." No home! no comfort! Will you shall follow Me? Then comes the family, "Suffer me first." Ah no! The Lord is first, He must have the place of authority, and if the doing of His will conflicts with the family tie He must come first. Then there is the danger of looking back. "First suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house." In answer to this plea we have the memorable words of the Lord, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." The Lord points him to steadfastness of purpose, no looking back; no going back; leave all; follow Him.

It is easy for us to be found in the condition of Israel in the days of the Lord. "This people honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me "(Matthew 15.8). Let us beware of lip-service. May each one respond as did the Master Himself, "I delight to do Thy will, 0 My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart" (Psalm 40. 8). Sad indeed it would be if the words were true of God's people today, "Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? "(Luke 6.46). May we all seek that blessedness of which the Lord spake, "Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it " (Luke 11.28), and again, "My mother and My brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it" (Luke 8.21).

God's purpose in redeeming Israel was that He might have a people for Himself, among whom He could rule, and find subject hearts to do His will. Today, His purpose in redemption is exactly the same, though not with an earthly people, yet with a people on earth, among whom should be seen a willing subjection to their sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ.

Before proceeding, could we go back a little on what has been said. The chief points are :-

1.Subjection manifest in obedience,

2.The Lord Jesus as the great Example,

3.The Lord Jesus Christ in whom all authority in heaven and earth is vested,

4.The responsibility of God's children to give their allegiance unto Him.

Now let us see how this matter of subjection affects the child of God in its outworking. The person, born again, finds a desire implanted in him to seek what is God's will, and he may well re-echo the words of Saul of Tarsus, "What shall I do, Lord? "(Acts 22.10). It will not be long before the indwelling Holy Spirit will reveal the will of God to him. The Lord Himself said, "If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching " (John 7. 17); and he will be led to "Go ... forth by the footsteps of the flock " (Song of Songs 1.8), and will find that "they that received his word were baptized " (Acts 2. 41). This is a most important act for it is a public declaration that he who is baptized has died, has been buried, and has been raised to walk in newness of life. In this ordinance of baptism we see the outward manifestation of a subject heart. In baptism we acknowledge our Leader and publicly declare by our act our allegiance to Him; and in it, perhaps, we realize, as never before, that we must now live a separated life, from sin, and from all things contrary to the will of God.

Disciples were not only baptized but were also added (Acts 2.41), and this brought them into a place of great responsibility; for immediately a person is added he comes within the sphere of divine rule, with others like-minded, whose hearts have been subjected by divine love. No greater place of responsibility is found on earth than that which is associated with the together-people of God, in which the will of God is acknowledged, and in which men ought to behave themselves, their will having been subjected to the will of God. Here is not the place for doing one's own will, but the place of divine rule and discipline where each is besought to "be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgement" (1 Corinthians 1. 10).

Israel in the wilderness affords an illustration. Standing before Horeb, Moses, bidden by God, shows them the terms upon which they can become the people of God. The people respond, "All that the LORD hath spoken will we do, and be obedient" (see Exodus 19.8, 24.7). To he an added one brings with it the same responsibility. We do not profess to have learned ALL the will of God, but in association with others we should have subject hearts to all that the Lord has revealed, and will be pleased further to reveal.

McCormick, F. | May 1957
Subjection