Submitted to
And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. Acts 15:4
Today I want to share about faithfulness and submitting to the authority we are under. We all have authority in our lives in some form. If you are married, you and your spouse submit to one another. If you live at home with your parents, you submit to them and the rules of their household. If you are in school, you submit to teachers, counselors, and principals. If you have a job, you submit to the authority of your boss or supervisor. In your church, you submit to the authority of the pastor and elders and the mission God has given them. As citizens, we submit to local and national authorities.
True submission is shown through faithfulness. In marriage, faithfulness means loving and supporting one another and staying committed to raising your family and caring for your home. In school, it means respecting your teachers and following the rules. In church, it means supporting the mission of the church and the vision and assignment the pastor has been called to from God.
Faithfulness at your job does not mean pointing out faults to make yourself look better. It means showing up on time, giving your best effort, and following the direction of your supervisor. Even if you think you know a better way, you first work according to the instructions you have been given, or respectfully present your ideas and gain approval before making changes. Going behind someone’s back is not faithful and it is not submission to authority.
In Acts 15, the apostle Paul and Barnabas faced opposition from certain Jewish leaders who taught that salvation required following the old covenant practices. Paul knew this was not the message of Jesus and did not teach it to the Gentiles. He still honored the Ten Commandments, but the leaders were insisting on practices that belonged to the old covenant, not the new covenant established by the Lord Jesus through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
Instead of continuing their mission in disagreement, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to submit the matter to the apostles and elders of the church. Even though Paul was an apostle himself, he recognized that faithfulness to the mission God gave him meant being in unity and agreement with the leadership. When they discussed what God was doing, they saw that the Holy Spirit was working in Gentiles without the old covenant rituals. Peter confirmed this from his own experience at Cornelius’ house (See Acts 10). The leaders came into agreement, and the mission moved forward in unity.
Even the most influential leaders in the New Testament submitted God and then to one another. This is how they stayed faithful and accountable to what God had called them to do.
Here are some ways you can submit to the authorities God has placed you under:
- Honor your spouse by valuing their voice in decisions and supporting each other’s role in the home
- In the workplace, follow instructions with a willing attitude, contribute ideas respectfully, and serve with gratitude
- In school, obey your teachers, complete assignments on time, and treat others with respect
- In church, support the mission of your pastor and leaders, serve faithfully, and encourage others in the body of Christ
- In your community, obey laws, pray for leaders, and seek ways to serve others in your neighborhood with the love of God
- Daily, submit your heart and plans to God, trusting Him to guide you in all areas of life
Today I want to encourage you that when you choose faithfulness in submission, you open the door for God to work powerfully in us and through us. Just like Paul and Barnabas, your unity with those in authority over you strengthens your mission and multiplies your impact.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 15:1-21
1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:
14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things.’
18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works.
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
Journal:
- Ask God to show you one area in your life where He is calling you to grow in faithfulness by submitting to authority.
- Write down one specific step you can take this week to honor Him in that area.
The Daily Dose 