Submitting to One Another in Christ

Minister Joaquin Chavez

Epheshians 5:1-21

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,         

“Awake, O sleeper, 

and arise from the dead, 

       and Christ will shine on you.” 

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:1-17

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Background:

At the time, Christians met in small groups in people’s homes. This led to people having more influence on how things were run. There were also people that lived double lives sinning it up with house parties one night. Then having Christians over for “banquets” the next day. These events would tempt Christians with excessive alcohol that would lead them to make morally questionable choices. Paul wanted them to purify their conduct and live differently as new beings. This meant keeping their homes pure and sacrificing for each other’s needs and weaknesses. Psalms and hymns were for them to pursue righteous living and pursuing God’s love always.

1.     Psalms reflect the heart to heart conversations God desires

David was honest with God. He did not pretend in his conversations with God, playing games to avoid confronting the truth about life, about his circumstances, and about himself. He felt he had nothing to hide from God; rather, he viewed his life as an open book. For this reason, David did not feel a need to sanitize his prayers. He brought to God the raw stuff of his heart, uncensored, untidied up. He was not afraid that God would be repulsed by his heart, because God, knowing his heart, still wanted communion with David. David teaches us that honesty is the real currency of heart-shaping communion. “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:21a) expresses a plea with God to conduct a thorough investigation so that the leader can grow. Humans can be tricked and deceived. They can be misled, and the result can be cancerous to the relationship. Humans can also demand that their leaders present themselves in certain ways in order to unlock the door for approval or sanction. God does not reward posturing. No attempts at wiggling out of the truth will succeed. This truth has both frightening and thrilling implications. The real breakthrough to heart-shaping communion occurs when the fear of this truth gives way to the thrill of this truth. The leader is set free in God's presence to deal with the hardcore truth without fear of being misunderstood or of suffering negative consequences for sharing true thoughts. The freedom of such heart-to-heart discussions with God are afforded by few human relationships.

2.     We are supposed to have this same connection with fellow believers (will of God v. 5:17)

• -       1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 

-       Humans cannot share everything with each other

-       Sin brings judgment from each other

-       We should be scared to share our innermost thoughts with each other

-       Christians no longer have to live with fear, judgment, shame, and living in darkness

-       The Holy Spirit should unite us so we can share everything

3.     Submitting to Christ is the only way our community can be led by love (v. 5:21)

-       He forgave us first

-       He does not demand perfection

-       He wants to share everything 

-       He demands and desires unity

-       He showed us how to be there for people

-       He led with grace and mercy

-       It is a sacrifice to put others needs first. But that is what we are called to do. So let’s do it. 

Applications

1.     Read passage at home about how David is with God in the Psalms and ask God how personal you feel your relationship is. Share anything you haven’t shared with him before. Pray for the strength to grow closer and share more in your prayer time.

2.     Commit to reading the whole book of psalms. Read 5 psalms a day to finish in one month. Or commit to reading one every day until you finish. Commit to doing this with a friend or the family to help support each other. 

3.     Memorize a psalm that really stands out to you and gives you strength. That way you can be ready to tell it to someone when they really need it. 

Questions

1.     What is your favorite psalm or hymn? How does it make you feel closer to God?

2.     Why is it hard to submit to Christ when we have to submit to his people?

3.     How does it make you feel knowing Christians are so divided? What can you do more to help bring the unity Jesus desires us to have?