Together # 12
A Together of Attitude
A Together of Attitude
Submit to One Another
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Give other people their way whenever possible; strive to find solutions where everyone's needs are met.
Luke 2:51; 1 Cor 16:15-16; Eph 5:21; Heb 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5
Submission to one another is selflessness. Letting another have her or his way rather than insisting on our own way is submitting to them. Making ourselves less priority is love which is the denial of self for the good of another. It is God’s wish for us to be a society of believers filled with love that passes from Him through us to one another. It is the way of the kingdom of heaven.
Most importantly, selflessness shown through submission to one another honors Jesus as our Savior and King.
Most importantly, selflessness shown through submission to one another honors Jesus as our Savior and King.
. . . submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Eph 5:21
Eph 5:21
If letting someone else have her or his way alters lifestyle for a long period of time, it is the Together of "Dying for One Another", not technically this submitting to one another. This submission to one another that slowly and steadily changes our spirits to abide in heaven properly is frequent and not in response to urgent situations.
Nor does this Together really deal with letting one another sin or pull us into sinful behavior. We do not let another Christian have his or her way in sin. We speak up. That is the Together of "Warning and Admonishing One Another". And, of course, we do not submit to another’s invitation to join them in sinning.
This Together to "Submit to One Another" has to do with the 95% of life that is not evil.
For example, a couple is celebrating New Year’s Eve and one wants to wait until midnight to go to sleep but the other is tired. It is not a sin to want to stay up or to go to sleep. Since God’s way is love and peace, one person is going to have to submit to the other’s desire to live his or her way as designed by God. Working out how to do that shows dedication to Jesus and reveres Him. Perhaps a short nap will enable the tired spouse to let the other have his or her way. Perhaps celebrating the strike of midnight two times zones ahead will please the sleepy one.
We have to get away from thinking, “but, letting them have their way is wrong!” Most of life offers good choices. And, different people often desire different good choices. What then? Time to love through submitting to one another.
The instruction of Scripture is to submit to “one another”. One person is not to get his or her way most of the time. If one marital partner acts stubborn to get his or her way a majority of the time, that is disobedience to this Scriptural command.
Unfortunately, in some relationships one person does get their way the majority of the time. If it is because that person usually has the best ideas, then the others are not really wanting something different, but coming to agreement on what seems best at the time. But, too often submission is lop-sided because someone has not yet grown enough spiritually to let others have their way.
One more thing needs to be distinguished because the word “submit” comes up in two different contexts, but only one applies to this Together to submit to one another. This together does not relate to submission to authority. Another Together is “Submit to God Together” which does address authority and means letting God have His way in how we think and feel and live.
Two other applications of submission to authority include wives submitting to their husbands and Christians submitting to church leaders.
The wife submitting to her husband is often emphasized without recognition that as believers they are both to submit to each other. Instead of being limited to his position of leadership under God, this can be sinfully applied to mean the wife having to do whatever the husband requests. As a professional marriage counselor, I have seen the very worst of this misuse of the Bible. When this instruction of Scripture for the wife to submit to her husband is brought up, two huge things are left out: submission to God and submission to one another. It is as though a wife is to ignore God and obey her husband. Thankfully, this error is usually refuted by church leaders and Christian friends. Therefore, many correctly understand that the husband is representing Christ when he leads so that anything he requests that goes against Scripture does not require submission.
What is hardly ever taught by Christian leaders is the comprehensive nature of this Together to submit to one another which covers every relationship between believers. It is second only to submission to God. Submission of wife to husband must first meet the requirements of these two higher types of submission.
Nor does this Together really deal with letting one another sin or pull us into sinful behavior. We do not let another Christian have his or her way in sin. We speak up. That is the Together of "Warning and Admonishing One Another". And, of course, we do not submit to another’s invitation to join them in sinning.
This Together to "Submit to One Another" has to do with the 95% of life that is not evil.
For example, a couple is celebrating New Year’s Eve and one wants to wait until midnight to go to sleep but the other is tired. It is not a sin to want to stay up or to go to sleep. Since God’s way is love and peace, one person is going to have to submit to the other’s desire to live his or her way as designed by God. Working out how to do that shows dedication to Jesus and reveres Him. Perhaps a short nap will enable the tired spouse to let the other have his or her way. Perhaps celebrating the strike of midnight two times zones ahead will please the sleepy one.
We have to get away from thinking, “but, letting them have their way is wrong!” Most of life offers good choices. And, different people often desire different good choices. What then? Time to love through submitting to one another.
The instruction of Scripture is to submit to “one another”. One person is not to get his or her way most of the time. If one marital partner acts stubborn to get his or her way a majority of the time, that is disobedience to this Scriptural command.
Unfortunately, in some relationships one person does get their way the majority of the time. If it is because that person usually has the best ideas, then the others are not really wanting something different, but coming to agreement on what seems best at the time. But, too often submission is lop-sided because someone has not yet grown enough spiritually to let others have their way.
One more thing needs to be distinguished because the word “submit” comes up in two different contexts, but only one applies to this Together to submit to one another. This together does not relate to submission to authority. Another Together is “Submit to God Together” which does address authority and means letting God have His way in how we think and feel and live.
Two other applications of submission to authority include wives submitting to their husbands and Christians submitting to church leaders.
The wife submitting to her husband is often emphasized without recognition that as believers they are both to submit to each other. Instead of being limited to his position of leadership under God, this can be sinfully applied to mean the wife having to do whatever the husband requests. As a professional marriage counselor, I have seen the very worst of this misuse of the Bible. When this instruction of Scripture for the wife to submit to her husband is brought up, two huge things are left out: submission to God and submission to one another. It is as though a wife is to ignore God and obey her husband. Thankfully, this error is usually refuted by church leaders and Christian friends. Therefore, many correctly understand that the husband is representing Christ when he leads so that anything he requests that goes against Scripture does not require submission.
What is hardly ever taught by Christian leaders is the comprehensive nature of this Together to submit to one another which covers every relationship between believers. It is second only to submission to God. Submission of wife to husband must first meet the requirements of these two higher types of submission.
Submit to God Together
Submit to One Another
Submit to One Another
Most of what a husband wants does not fall under his leadership role extending from Christ who is his Head. For a husband to declare that his wife, for example, must go someplace with him or wear something specific or address him in some subservient way because he is her leader is very wrong. In fact, to most of us men it seems so silly as to not need to be addressed in sermons or Bible studies. But in every church there might be men who insist they get their way because God put them in charge. These men need to be shown that they are in charge, not to get their own way, but to see that God gets his way. Almost all of a husband’s desires fall out of the realm of authority and under this instruction to submit to one another. Glory to God, most of us husbands do not misuse our authority over our wives. We may not do enough to help their spiritual growth due to the grip of individualism on faith, but we do not “lord it over” our wives.
In any relationship there will be imbalances as to who gets the more special treatment, who benefits most because the other is more able to submit and be selfless. As will be seen later on, there is a paradox to this. The one getting his or her own way is getting a “better deal” in this life. And, the one being selfless and letting the other have his or her way is going to get a better life in heaven for all eternity.
Submission can be more difficult in our more significant and frequent relationships. “I’m right”, “I know best”, “My way is better”, even “My way or the highway” are attitudes that infect friendships, families, and marriages all too frequently.
Submission in Christian friendships, families and marriages means letting others have their way as much as possible through a “win – win” philosophy. It requires other Togethers like "Accepting One Another" and "Bearing with One Another". An attitude of submission whenever possible preserves peace in relationships.
Submission is usually to let others be themselves. A parent has to require that family rules are obeyed, such as cleaning rooms regularly. That is submission under authority. But, if a child wants to draw with pencil, submission means to let her do so, even though the parent wants some other form of art. Submission means letting a wife organize her kitchen the way she wants unless the husband does half of the cooking. Submission means leaving earlier than is desired when a friend or friends want to get to an event ahead of time.
People have preferences. Submission means letting people have their own preferences whenever possible. Take, for example, one of the most important differences in our faith. Some of us hold to a reformed understanding of doctrine, including predestination. Others of us hold to a Armenian understanding and do not believe in predestination. Yet, we do not let that difference divide us in our Christian friendships, families, and marriages because both views believe that salvation is through Christ’s death on the cross and not earned through good works. Submitting in this case means only letting the other side have its position.
God wants no arguing in Christian relationships . Submission is the way to avoid unnecessary conflict. Desires can get a hold of us and become so strong as to lead to selfishness. Too often this results in damaged relationships.
In any relationship there will be imbalances as to who gets the more special treatment, who benefits most because the other is more able to submit and be selfless. As will be seen later on, there is a paradox to this. The one getting his or her own way is getting a “better deal” in this life. And, the one being selfless and letting the other have his or her way is going to get a better life in heaven for all eternity.
Submission can be more difficult in our more significant and frequent relationships. “I’m right”, “I know best”, “My way is better”, even “My way or the highway” are attitudes that infect friendships, families, and marriages all too frequently.
Submission in Christian friendships, families and marriages means letting others have their way as much as possible through a “win – win” philosophy. It requires other Togethers like "Accepting One Another" and "Bearing with One Another". An attitude of submission whenever possible preserves peace in relationships.
Submission is usually to let others be themselves. A parent has to require that family rules are obeyed, such as cleaning rooms regularly. That is submission under authority. But, if a child wants to draw with pencil, submission means to let her do so, even though the parent wants some other form of art. Submission means letting a wife organize her kitchen the way she wants unless the husband does half of the cooking. Submission means leaving earlier than is desired when a friend or friends want to get to an event ahead of time.
People have preferences. Submission means letting people have their own preferences whenever possible. Take, for example, one of the most important differences in our faith. Some of us hold to a reformed understanding of doctrine, including predestination. Others of us hold to a Armenian understanding and do not believe in predestination. Yet, we do not let that difference divide us in our Christian friendships, families, and marriages because both views believe that salvation is through Christ’s death on the cross and not earned through good works. Submitting in this case means only letting the other side have its position.
God wants no arguing in Christian relationships . Submission is the way to avoid unnecessary conflict. Desires can get a hold of us and become so strong as to lead to selfishness. Too often this results in damaged relationships.
What causes fights and quarrels among you?
Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
James 4:1 (NIV)
Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
James 4:1 (NIV)
Therefore, we can see how very important it is to let others have their way. If they are equally obedient, they will want us to have our way. Mutual submission will have its way of working out, often by compromise or taking turns having one’s way.
People tend toward stubbornness regarding so many small things in close relationships. We don’t care if Jane Doe at church washes her car or not. But, we might have too strong an opinion about clean cars with our spouse, and this superior attitude can foster dissension.
Christians are not to fuss to get their own way. Rather than battling with each other, Christians should be striving to find solutions where everyone's needs are met. Submission means letting each other have his or her own way whenever possible. As we will show, being left out by one’s own choice will be compensated in heaven forever.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
People tend toward stubbornness regarding so many small things in close relationships. We don’t care if Jane Doe at church washes her car or not. But, we might have too strong an opinion about clean cars with our spouse, and this superior attitude can foster dissension.
Christians are not to fuss to get their own way. Rather than battling with each other, Christians should be striving to find solutions where everyone's needs are met. Submission means letting each other have his or her own way whenever possible. As we will show, being left out by one’s own choice will be compensated in heaven forever.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Eleanor likes to cook, and her husband Aaron likes to eat. But not everything. In fact, he is limited in what he will try and what he likes. Aaron has made it clear that the two of them could entertain and Eleanor could cook as fancy meals as she would like for those occasions. However, Eleanor mostly likes to cook for her own family, not necessarily for others.
Eleanor has submitted to cooking simple meals without a lot of spices or innovation. She is letting Aaron be who he is and, in so doing, being herself very like Jesus who is loving and not demanding about such things. |
It was certainly Jesus’ nature to give way to the needs of others and deny Himself. When He worked long hours to heal even those who would not believe, He was placing His own physical needs below their needs and denying Himself every righteous pleasure. Submitting to one another is being available to others more than to one’s own desires, and it creates great Christlikeness in us.
Jesus certainly died for us, but He also let others have their way. There are not many examples of Jesus’ day-to-day relationships, but we do have this record of Jesus instructing Martha to let Mary do as she pleased.
Jesus certainly died for us, but He also let others have their way. There are not many examples of Jesus’ day-to-day relationships, but we do have this record of Jesus instructing Martha to let Mary do as she pleased.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
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Jesus gave powerful sermons, but He did not make people believe. Jesus let people be who they decided to be and do what they decided to do, even though He instructed them to be and do otherwise. He let them have their own way, even knowing that the results for them were disastrous.
So, to be like Jesus, we too can relate truth without manipulative forcefulness and be submissive to the decisions of others as long as they do not cause us to sin. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, for example, told it like it is. Then He let His hearers “do their own thing”.
So, to be like Jesus, we too can relate truth without manipulative forcefulness and be submissive to the decisions of others as long as they do not cause us to sin. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, for example, told it like it is. Then He let His hearers “do their own thing”.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matt 5:27-28
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On two occasions that we know of Jesus confronted women of adultery. One was the Samaritan woman at the well from whom He requested water and then revealed that He knew she was in an adulterous relationship. He used no forcefulness to get her to stop but called her to righteousness through belief in Him. The other woman was a test by the Jewish leaders out to kill him. They brought a woman caught in adultery who was to be stoned. He cleared them out and then told the woman to go and sin no more. Again, in the sense of submitting to her free will, Jesus did not force a change in thought or behavior.
Letting another have an evil attitude or behavior merely acknowledges that we are not in control of that person. Sometimes we can be forceful enough to control behavior, such as parents do with their children. But, as long as we think we can tell another person what to do, we do not go on to consider ways that might actually help change a person’s behavior. This does not mean that we approve of what is sinful, but in relationships outside of the church’s authority, sinfulness has to be handled without the benefit of control.
Therefore, in Christian friendships, families, and marriages we must submit to God’s will that humans have free will and let them do what they are going to do without our approval. But, also without our judgment and condemnation. At these times it is helpful to recognize the great truth “there but for the grace of God go I”.
These examples of Jesus letting others determine the course of their own lives, even to sin are given only to show that letting others have their way in non-sinful considerations is following in the footsteps of Jesus. Imagine how thick our Bibles would be if were recorded times when Jesus sat down on a journey because one or two disciples wanted to rest. How often did Jesus stop to observe nature when one of the disciples wanted to do this? And, in the best of examples, Jesus went beyond His agenda at the request of His mother and created wine out of water at a wedding.
This Together can be one of the simplest to put into obedient practice. Yet, we should not measure our growth in letting others have their way by how often we do it, but what percentage of the chances to submit to another’s desires do we comply. Growth in Jesus doesn’t stop until we can listen to God and determine those times when we need to give way for another’s good or to not inhibit the gospel.
From time to time we will have to let someone in our Christian Inner Circles grow in submission. A strong-willed individual may try to force his or her views and recommendations onto another individual rather than allowing that person to exercise his or her free will. Whenever this happens we will have to speak up and help the strong-willed, vocal person give way to the quieter person's choice.
There will be people who always give in to the forcefulness of others. What is occurring is not submission but acquiescence. We need to help overly compliant people be able to speak up for their desires. First of all, God does not want the people of His love to be overlooked. Secondly, others need the opportunity to be submissive to the timid person for their own critical spiritual growth.
Parents have daily opportunities to teach their children submission to one another. Encouraging their children to share time and toys with siblings is educating their kids in the ways of heaven. Trading chores so that a sibling can attend an important event is submission. Doing something the way Mom wants it done should be taught as submission, not just being under authority.
Husbands and wives can submit to one another in many ways, none of which fall in the area of authority submission. People generally pick a spouse because of commonalities. Submission should be easy during courtship, and, if it is not, the one having to conform always to the other’s wishes should get out of the relationship as quickly as possible. The likelihood of abuse is just far too great if a boyfriend or girlfriend has to have his or her way during the one time when it is natural to fake compliance with another’s needs. Submission might be easy until the marriage faces more complexity. Letting a spouse put the shampoo where he or she wants it is easy, but soon other more difficult differences will emerge.
When children come along, there will be different ways to handle dirty diapers all the way to lending the family car to the child who has just learned to drive. If a home is purchased, there will be different desires for rooms where television is watched, order or disorder in the garage, landscaping desires, and all sorts of needs for letting each other have her or his way about half the time. It is not unusual for one spouse to be dominant and the other shy. Since the biblical instruction is not to submit to the most dominant person but to one another, husbands and wives have to work at making submission fair.
Friends have little opportunity for in-depth submission since most friendships are based on recreation and entertainment. Occasional opportunities do arise, but not often as in family and marriage. Therefore, Christian friendship in itself is not a hotbed in which to grow selflessness from frequent opportunities for submission.
However, Christian friends can be “outside observers” who spot friends who unreasonably need to have their way with their families and spouses. Friends can also take note of which friends never seem to ask about what they are up to in life but focus almost exclusively on the happenings of their own lives. Aware of the greater quality of life available in heaven for those who develop selflessness now, they will implement many other Togethers and help their friends to be less focused on themselves.
If we can imagine Jesus not paying attention to the needs of others, we have been reading our Bibles through a very thick fog. Jesus was wonderful in this way of paying attention to others and being on their side. He still is. Let’s help one another become more automatic in submitting to others and grow in being like Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
Letting another have an evil attitude or behavior merely acknowledges that we are not in control of that person. Sometimes we can be forceful enough to control behavior, such as parents do with their children. But, as long as we think we can tell another person what to do, we do not go on to consider ways that might actually help change a person’s behavior. This does not mean that we approve of what is sinful, but in relationships outside of the church’s authority, sinfulness has to be handled without the benefit of control.
Therefore, in Christian friendships, families, and marriages we must submit to God’s will that humans have free will and let them do what they are going to do without our approval. But, also without our judgment and condemnation. At these times it is helpful to recognize the great truth “there but for the grace of God go I”.
These examples of Jesus letting others determine the course of their own lives, even to sin are given only to show that letting others have their way in non-sinful considerations is following in the footsteps of Jesus. Imagine how thick our Bibles would be if were recorded times when Jesus sat down on a journey because one or two disciples wanted to rest. How often did Jesus stop to observe nature when one of the disciples wanted to do this? And, in the best of examples, Jesus went beyond His agenda at the request of His mother and created wine out of water at a wedding.
This Together can be one of the simplest to put into obedient practice. Yet, we should not measure our growth in letting others have their way by how often we do it, but what percentage of the chances to submit to another’s desires do we comply. Growth in Jesus doesn’t stop until we can listen to God and determine those times when we need to give way for another’s good or to not inhibit the gospel.
From time to time we will have to let someone in our Christian Inner Circles grow in submission. A strong-willed individual may try to force his or her views and recommendations onto another individual rather than allowing that person to exercise his or her free will. Whenever this happens we will have to speak up and help the strong-willed, vocal person give way to the quieter person's choice.
There will be people who always give in to the forcefulness of others. What is occurring is not submission but acquiescence. We need to help overly compliant people be able to speak up for their desires. First of all, God does not want the people of His love to be overlooked. Secondly, others need the opportunity to be submissive to the timid person for their own critical spiritual growth.
Parents have daily opportunities to teach their children submission to one another. Encouraging their children to share time and toys with siblings is educating their kids in the ways of heaven. Trading chores so that a sibling can attend an important event is submission. Doing something the way Mom wants it done should be taught as submission, not just being under authority.
Husbands and wives can submit to one another in many ways, none of which fall in the area of authority submission. People generally pick a spouse because of commonalities. Submission should be easy during courtship, and, if it is not, the one having to conform always to the other’s wishes should get out of the relationship as quickly as possible. The likelihood of abuse is just far too great if a boyfriend or girlfriend has to have his or her way during the one time when it is natural to fake compliance with another’s needs. Submission might be easy until the marriage faces more complexity. Letting a spouse put the shampoo where he or she wants it is easy, but soon other more difficult differences will emerge.
When children come along, there will be different ways to handle dirty diapers all the way to lending the family car to the child who has just learned to drive. If a home is purchased, there will be different desires for rooms where television is watched, order or disorder in the garage, landscaping desires, and all sorts of needs for letting each other have her or his way about half the time. It is not unusual for one spouse to be dominant and the other shy. Since the biblical instruction is not to submit to the most dominant person but to one another, husbands and wives have to work at making submission fair.
Friends have little opportunity for in-depth submission since most friendships are based on recreation and entertainment. Occasional opportunities do arise, but not often as in family and marriage. Therefore, Christian friendship in itself is not a hotbed in which to grow selflessness from frequent opportunities for submission.
However, Christian friends can be “outside observers” who spot friends who unreasonably need to have their way with their families and spouses. Friends can also take note of which friends never seem to ask about what they are up to in life but focus almost exclusively on the happenings of their own lives. Aware of the greater quality of life available in heaven for those who develop selflessness now, they will implement many other Togethers and help their friends to be less focused on themselves.
If we can imagine Jesus not paying attention to the needs of others, we have been reading our Bibles through a very thick fog. Jesus was wonderful in this way of paying attention to others and being on their side. He still is. Let’s help one another become more automatic in submitting to others and grow in being like Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
Caleb and Audrey are dating. They are in their mid-twenties. And they are wondering if they would make a good marriage. Both are interested in the welfare of others, so they decided to submit to the needs of others together and test their ministry compatibility.
Working the church aisles after services, Audrey and Caleb meet people who seem to have no one to talk with, searching for people yearning to do something with others. They learn what that is and then decide to do it with one person at a time. They have found that they really work well together and feel as though they are worshiping God in reflecting His nature to bend down to people and provide good things for them. Oh, and they are now engaged. |
God offers people many good things they can choose or deny. Offering to do things their way or making things available to others by submitting to their needs is worship. It mirrors God who so generously lets us have our way so much of the time.
God delights in making good things available to us.
God delights in making good things available to us.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17
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We can stand in the way of good things for others when their need clashes with ours. Or we can step aside and allow them to have even those things we would keep for ourselves. Submitting to one another and letting them have their way rather than ours gives us a chance to worship our generous God.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35
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When we meditate on all that God has given us in this world, we certainly can give others things they want, even when it means that we have to give up our desires. Furthermore, consider the wonderful things we have received from God in the spirit world including Himself, bread that ends hunger and water that totally quenches our thirst forever. If God is so selfless as to give us so much, we can be selfless with one another and bless Him with worship that reflects His grace. What a privilege to respond to God’s generosity by giving Him back a reflection of Himself.
Husbands and wives should list all those things that their partner would really, really like to do that have not yet been done solely because the spouse making the list has not wanted to do them.
Then, through selfless submission those things should happen, provided it doesn’t drain necessary finances. Has a wife desired to go to the opera and the husband hate opera? Well, he can worship God by opening up this pleasure for her. Does a husband wish his wife would go with him to fish and she dislikes sitting by a lake? Well, she can worship God by opening up this pleasure for him. The activity might be miserable, but the worship of God can be very sweet.
Families can have a family meeting or two and identify something every person would like to do. Then they can all pitch in with good attitudes and effort to give one another this desired activity. Perhaps one child wants to go to the Museum of Natural History and most would also like to go. But, one sibling balks at the idea. Helping the resistant family member to submit to the needs of the others who want to go to the museum is biblical training. The family might have to do a bit more work than just telling the sibling to go along with the family plan. They might have to help that child who could potentially ruin the trip with a bad attitude realize that God would be worshiped with helpful behavior.
This same family might learn that Mom wants them all to go to a quilting exposition. And, nobody is interested in quilts. This would pose a tremendous opportunity to worship God since selflessness through submission is honoring Him. In this case, all family brains will have to be discovering ways to make a trip to the quilting expo tolerable so that attitudes do not ruin Mom’s special outing. Most mothers would probably not request going to such an event knowing that the others would not want to go, but they should mention it in order to give the others an opportunity to worship God. If God could kill His Son for them, they can go to a quilting event.
Great friends can listen carefully to find out what another would like to do. There is a tendency to not hear a desire expressed that we would prefer not to do. Imagine that a friend taking an art appreciation course in college would like her small group of friends to go with her to an art museum. In many cases, there would be no response and the subject would change to avoid being trapped into doing something not desired. However, obedient Christian friends would go along and decide to be interested, not feign to be interested, and ask questions about the art they are viewing.
There are those among us who delight in others getting their way and focus less on their own desires. Submitting to the needs and desires of others has become so natural that it has become who they are. Some can do this only for their children. Others can let their spouse enjoy something they would not. Some friends rejoice in the enjoyments of their friends when out doing something not so enjoyable for themselves.
Let’s worship God by being generous. Submitting to do things we would rather not do is the kind of regular worship that will change our spirits forever so that heaven opens wide for us when we get there.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Husbands and wives should list all those things that their partner would really, really like to do that have not yet been done solely because the spouse making the list has not wanted to do them.
Then, through selfless submission those things should happen, provided it doesn’t drain necessary finances. Has a wife desired to go to the opera and the husband hate opera? Well, he can worship God by opening up this pleasure for her. Does a husband wish his wife would go with him to fish and she dislikes sitting by a lake? Well, she can worship God by opening up this pleasure for him. The activity might be miserable, but the worship of God can be very sweet.
Families can have a family meeting or two and identify something every person would like to do. Then they can all pitch in with good attitudes and effort to give one another this desired activity. Perhaps one child wants to go to the Museum of Natural History and most would also like to go. But, one sibling balks at the idea. Helping the resistant family member to submit to the needs of the others who want to go to the museum is biblical training. The family might have to do a bit more work than just telling the sibling to go along with the family plan. They might have to help that child who could potentially ruin the trip with a bad attitude realize that God would be worshiped with helpful behavior.
This same family might learn that Mom wants them all to go to a quilting exposition. And, nobody is interested in quilts. This would pose a tremendous opportunity to worship God since selflessness through submission is honoring Him. In this case, all family brains will have to be discovering ways to make a trip to the quilting expo tolerable so that attitudes do not ruin Mom’s special outing. Most mothers would probably not request going to such an event knowing that the others would not want to go, but they should mention it in order to give the others an opportunity to worship God. If God could kill His Son for them, they can go to a quilting event.
Great friends can listen carefully to find out what another would like to do. There is a tendency to not hear a desire expressed that we would prefer not to do. Imagine that a friend taking an art appreciation course in college would like her small group of friends to go with her to an art museum. In many cases, there would be no response and the subject would change to avoid being trapped into doing something not desired. However, obedient Christian friends would go along and decide to be interested, not feign to be interested, and ask questions about the art they are viewing.
There are those among us who delight in others getting their way and focus less on their own desires. Submitting to the needs and desires of others has become so natural that it has become who they are. Some can do this only for their children. Others can let their spouse enjoy something they would not. Some friends rejoice in the enjoyments of their friends when out doing something not so enjoyable for themselves.
Let’s worship God by being generous. Submitting to do things we would rather not do is the kind of regular worship that will change our spirits forever so that heaven opens wide for us when we get there.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
The Brown Family, as in all families, has disagreements come up from time to time that can disrupt the peace of the family. For the past few months it has been raised voices about doors and drawers not being closed all the way.
It seems that there are certain members of the Brown Family who don’t care to always close drawers and closet doors all the way for whatever reason. And, it seems that it would take a lot of concentration to remember to do so. Since there is no problem of mice or anything else going wrong if doors and drawers are not closed all the way, the discord and haranguing to get everyone closing doors and drawers is not all that necessary and would be destructive. The Brown Family has decided that they must protect the close relationships of the family and submit to everyone’s way of closing doors and drawers. The solution they came to in order to defeat dissension in the family is for those who like closed doors and drawers to have twice the fun of doing so – and close them as they go about a slightly open door or drawer as a ministry to the family with regard to order and for the effect of peace. |
Satan promotes selfishness because it is the opposite of God’s character of love. His first sales pitch to the human race emphasized what Eve could get for herself. The devil knows that he can destroy God’s people by tempting them to be self-focused and selfish. He knows that selfishness divides and can keep God’s people from prospering in their faith. Not only that, but he knows that we can defeat him if we stand against him together.
On the other hand, selflessness expressed by submitting to one another brings appreciation for being allowed our preference. This weaves strong bonds among us. When two friends have a plan to do an activity and an event especially desired by one of them comes up at the last minute, changing plans is greatly appreciated and the relationship grows stronger. When a child waits patiently for what he wants until his father is finished with a chore, the father is grateful and the relationship is strengthened. When a husband stops what he is doing to help his wife bring in the groceries, the relationship strengthens.
On the other hand, if the devil can get us to be selfish and not let others have their way, relationships slowly deteriorate. If a friend refuses to change plans, if a child throws a temper tantrum because dad won’t drop everything right away, or if a husband ignores that his wife could use some help getting the groceries from the car to the kitchen, a number of negative things are set in motion. Such selfish actions tell the other person that he or she is not valued, the relationship stays distant, and people learn that the others cannot be counted on. Most important, God is ignored and displeased. For it is He who tells us to submit to one another’s needs.
Satan will try to diminish God’s glory by promoting submission to one another as just an optional good idea rather than an instruction of Scripture. Suppose two godly women in charge of church fellowship suppers disagree on how to do things and stubborn resentment develops. When church leadership notices, does a pastor, elder or deacon step in and make the decision of how the disputed thing is to be done? Hopefully not. Church leadership is to be preparing us for ministry and building up the body of Christ, not using authority to make decisions and cut off situations that can spur significant spiritual growth.
On the other hand, selflessness expressed by submitting to one another brings appreciation for being allowed our preference. This weaves strong bonds among us. When two friends have a plan to do an activity and an event especially desired by one of them comes up at the last minute, changing plans is greatly appreciated and the relationship grows stronger. When a child waits patiently for what he wants until his father is finished with a chore, the father is grateful and the relationship is strengthened. When a husband stops what he is doing to help his wife bring in the groceries, the relationship strengthens.
On the other hand, if the devil can get us to be selfish and not let others have their way, relationships slowly deteriorate. If a friend refuses to change plans, if a child throws a temper tantrum because dad won’t drop everything right away, or if a husband ignores that his wife could use some help getting the groceries from the car to the kitchen, a number of negative things are set in motion. Such selfish actions tell the other person that he or she is not valued, the relationship stays distant, and people learn that the others cannot be counted on. Most important, God is ignored and displeased. For it is He who tells us to submit to one another’s needs.
Satan will try to diminish God’s glory by promoting submission to one another as just an optional good idea rather than an instruction of Scripture. Suppose two godly women in charge of church fellowship suppers disagree on how to do things and stubborn resentment develops. When church leadership notices, does a pastor, elder or deacon step in and make the decision of how the disputed thing is to be done? Hopefully not. Church leadership is to be preparing us for ministry and building up the body of Christ, not using authority to make decisions and cut off situations that can spur significant spiritual growth.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, . . .
Eph 4:11-12
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So, to defeat the devil who wants to begin dissension even before the church supper, a church leader should sit down with these two wonderful women and teach them how submitting back and forth to one another reveres Jesus. Then these two should be told to work out this disagreement so that no one wins except the Lord. Their problem needs to be solved by obedience to submission, not by a decision from church leadership.
We can grow into more and more selflessness with others by realizing that we are not giving up everything forever. We have better things already stored away in heaven.
We can grow into more and more selflessness with others by realizing that we are not giving up everything forever. We have better things already stored away in heaven.
For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
Heb 10:34
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Most of us will feel a bit ridiculous if we step back and look at the relative lack of importance of things lost by giving another his or her way. So what if we had to go see a movie someone else wanted to see? What did we really lose in not seeing the movie of our choice?
Giving way to another’s wishes can also be made delicious by remembering that we are defeating Satan when we do so. Defeating God’s enemy is more glorious than having our own way. Let’s submit to one another’s needs and desires and prohibit the devil from spreading resentment among us.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Giving way to another’s wishes can also be made delicious by remembering that we are defeating Satan when we do so. Defeating God’s enemy is more glorious than having our own way. Let’s submit to one another’s needs and desires and prohibit the devil from spreading resentment among us.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
I ran into one of my good friends from life before heaven. Walter and I worked for the same heating and air conditioning company. My wife and I invited Walter and his wife Florence over for a meal and became good friends. We even took our kids together on camping trips. When we moved across the country, we lost touch and had little communication for the next 30 years. It was good to see Walter again here in heaven.
But, there was some sadness in the holy sense, not in any way painful, it being absent here. I noticed that Walter was not really tuned into the joy others were having in heaven. He was enjoying heaven in his own experience but not through the joyful experiences of others. He was missing a big part of heavenly society. Then memories came back to explain what I was experiencing. Walter did not treat Florence very well. Whenever they had different desires, Walter always controlled things to get his own way. Florence always gave in to him, eventually out of love without resentment. We could sense this problem when visiting around the campfire. Actually, it was the side comments that clarified what was happening. Walter was excited about an action-adventure movie they had seen when Florence interjected that he never let them go to a movie she wanted to see because he did not like romantic films. By not submitting his desires to his wife’s, Walter never learned to enjoy the joy of others unless somehow it gave him some benefit. Florence, however, learned to submit and find enjoyment through the happiness of others. I know this because I have seen her also, and she is constantly talking about citizens of heaven she knows who are enjoying life. Such joy in the life of others dwarfs her joy in her own activities, which is also vibrant. |
Selflessness will be the nature of life with other believers in heaven. It is best developed in our spirits through letting others have their way and not feeling the loss of whatever we had to give up. For maximum enjoyment of heaven’s culture, we need to be able to take joy in others getting their way, expressing themselves genuinely, and being excited and satisfied.
Our spirits need to get ready for heaven’s society and culture where we will live together in selflessness with believers from every nation and across many centuries. Submitting to one another is a major way to grow for the selflessness of heaven’s relationships. That is because letting others have their way requires selflessness which is the prerequisite to true, biblical love.
Self-denial for the good of another, which is agape love, begins with selflessness and is followed by doing good for another. Letting others have their way when we would want something different is unique because it offers frequent opportunities for our spirits to grow in generosity and the ability to enjoy the joy of others.
Our closest Christian relationships frequently require us to go along with one another rather than insist on our own way. This continual submission to one another’s needs and enjoyments develops selflessness and prepares us for the way of heaven. The Together of dying for one another also destroys self-focus and selfishness and it is a stronger expression of love. But such opportunities to die for one another arise infrequently. Submitting to one another is at least a weekly exercise that changes our spirits from being excessivly grounded in this world so that later we can take greater part in the selflessness of heaven.
Biblical community should never be driven by self-focus, but unknowingly it often is. For example, Christians join Bible study groups to learn the Bible and grow in their faith. Rarely do they join a Bible study to help others grow spiritually. “What’s in it for me?” lies right under the surface. True biblical community demands that Christians gather in small groups to work together for their corporate growth in spiritual things. A whole group that grows in hope and trust in God is far better than one or two group members growing in such a way.
Community in heaven cannot possibly be thought of as a bunch of separate individuals wandering around heaven doing their own thing. Therefore, we need to grow away from each doing his or her own thing now. We need to go to heaven with spirits strong in being centered on others and life together. That is the life there.
How do we get ready to live with others in heaven with as much focus on their happiness as our own? First by not insisting on our own way and letting others have their preferences. Then eventually knowing what others want and helping make those joys happen for them, submitting to their hopes and dreams rather than getting trapped by ours.
Here, as in other Togethers, we grow stronger spirits when we have to resist sin, in this case self-focus. It might be easy for parents to give way to their own pleasures and agendas for those of their children, but more “muscle” to selflessness will develop by letting others have their way when we really do not want to. Very little self-denial is required for parents to let go of watching a favorite television program to take a son or daughter to music lessons. A whole lot of self-denial is required to go with a friend ice fishing if that seems like a bad idea or to go with a friend to her doctor to schedule surgery for breast cancer. We want to look for opportunities to let another have his or her way when it causes us a little pain. That disappointment of loss of something we wanted is what it feels like when our spirits are growing in selflessness.
Let’s get ready for the radically different society, values, and culture of heaven. Let’s seek opportunities through submitting to one another to grow our spirits capable of the relationships of heaven.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
Our spirits need to get ready for heaven’s society and culture where we will live together in selflessness with believers from every nation and across many centuries. Submitting to one another is a major way to grow for the selflessness of heaven’s relationships. That is because letting others have their way requires selflessness which is the prerequisite to true, biblical love.
Self-denial for the good of another, which is agape love, begins with selflessness and is followed by doing good for another. Letting others have their way when we would want something different is unique because it offers frequent opportunities for our spirits to grow in generosity and the ability to enjoy the joy of others.
Our closest Christian relationships frequently require us to go along with one another rather than insist on our own way. This continual submission to one another’s needs and enjoyments develops selflessness and prepares us for the way of heaven. The Together of dying for one another also destroys self-focus and selfishness and it is a stronger expression of love. But such opportunities to die for one another arise infrequently. Submitting to one another is at least a weekly exercise that changes our spirits from being excessivly grounded in this world so that later we can take greater part in the selflessness of heaven.
Biblical community should never be driven by self-focus, but unknowingly it often is. For example, Christians join Bible study groups to learn the Bible and grow in their faith. Rarely do they join a Bible study to help others grow spiritually. “What’s in it for me?” lies right under the surface. True biblical community demands that Christians gather in small groups to work together for their corporate growth in spiritual things. A whole group that grows in hope and trust in God is far better than one or two group members growing in such a way.
Community in heaven cannot possibly be thought of as a bunch of separate individuals wandering around heaven doing their own thing. Therefore, we need to grow away from each doing his or her own thing now. We need to go to heaven with spirits strong in being centered on others and life together. That is the life there.
How do we get ready to live with others in heaven with as much focus on their happiness as our own? First by not insisting on our own way and letting others have their preferences. Then eventually knowing what others want and helping make those joys happen for them, submitting to their hopes and dreams rather than getting trapped by ours.
Here, as in other Togethers, we grow stronger spirits when we have to resist sin, in this case self-focus. It might be easy for parents to give way to their own pleasures and agendas for those of their children, but more “muscle” to selflessness will develop by letting others have their way when we really do not want to. Very little self-denial is required for parents to let go of watching a favorite television program to take a son or daughter to music lessons. A whole lot of self-denial is required to go with a friend ice fishing if that seems like a bad idea or to go with a friend to her doctor to schedule surgery for breast cancer. We want to look for opportunities to let another have his or her way when it causes us a little pain. That disappointment of loss of something we wanted is what it feels like when our spirits are growing in selflessness.
Let’s get ready for the radically different society, values, and culture of heaven. Let’s seek opportunities through submitting to one another to grow our spirits capable of the relationships of heaven.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
I am constantly amazed. Every time I go to a small, intimate feast here in heaven, I am told to sit at the head of the table with the Lord. I have never expected to be first in this way, and finally asked an angel why it happened. I was told that before death I placed my desires last. I now remember that I did so because I believed in submitting to others and giving up my place in line, so to speak. Then I remembered the verse that had always confused me a little, where Jesus said:
I guess I had never thought of it as letting others go before me or letting them have their way and giving up my way. My motive was not to get first place, but here I am – first because I allowed myself to be last.
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If we only find joy in our own experiences, we are shortchanging ourselves. In heaven we will live in a society where everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy their own lives and everyone else’s life simultaneously.
Perhaps we have experienced this at a party or family reunion or sports event where it seems everyone is enjoying themselves. We are not just aware of our own good time, but equally aware of everyone else’s joy. It is infectious! Isn’t that what we are called to in God’s kingdom?
Add to that experiencing the full joy of the Lord.
Perhaps we have experienced this at a party or family reunion or sports event where it seems everyone is enjoying themselves. We are not just aware of our own good time, but equally aware of everyone else’s joy. It is infectious! Isn’t that what we are called to in God’s kingdom?
Add to that experiencing the full joy of the Lord.
These things I have spoken to you,
that my joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11
that my joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11
Consider a large family reunion held for a great, great grandmother who will soon die. Most will experience their own joy in their conversations and activities. Many will also feel the joy of everyone else having fun. But a special few will absorb the joy of the matriarch and be truly full of happiness. Will not the greatest joy be in experiencing her joy? In eternity, Jesus will be the honored guest whose joy we want to incorporate into our own joy.
If we have stretched ourselves now to submit to others for their happiness before we get to heaven, and if we have gone so far as to imagine the joy it gives Jesus to see everyone getting along and enjoying spiritual fellowship, we will arrive in heaven more capable of joy. Just imagine how good it will be to have this 3-dimensional joy, that from our own lives, plus joy from all the lives around us, and topped off by the joy of Jesus Himself.
We should each evaluate how far we have matured in enjoying another’s joy. Have we gotten past focusing on our own experiences and made room to pay attention to the joy others are having? Have we grown to enjoy the happiness of others equally with our own joy? What about being able to focus on Jesus’ joy? Do we still primarily recognize His joy in us individually or have we progressed to see his joy in all of us?
Consider that we have an empty jug we want to fill with great tasting water. We have our own bottle of water we pour into the jug. The jug miraculously grows in size and increases its capacity for water. So we add to the jug ten bottles of water shared with us by ten friends. Now we are getting somewhere! But, the jug grows even bigger with yet more room for additional water. Then we go to the One who promised living water and pour His water into the jug. And, the jug grows huge and overflows. Then, in a moment, death comes to us and we find ourselves in heaven with a huge jug overflowing with water. We meet people there with smaller jugs and we give them water and watch their jugs grow. This feels very, very good.
The path to such filling ourselves with joy is in allowing ourselves to feel the joy of others when we submit to their desires (non-sinful desires) and let them have their way and experience life fuller in their own way. In Christian relationships we can let one another enjoy things of life that do not tend to give us joy. But it gives our friend joy and we experience it. To be able to do this is to expand our own joy. Then we can overflow with joy when we grasp the Lord’s joy because our relationships are full of grace in letting one another enjoy life in different ways.
In heaven for all eternity, we should want to experience the maximum of joy. It can be so wonderful to enter heaven with well-developed capacity to spread joy by submitting to the wishes of others and not being stuck on our own heavenly pursuits.
Furthermore, to be able to take in God’s joy? What JOY!
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
If we have stretched ourselves now to submit to others for their happiness before we get to heaven, and if we have gone so far as to imagine the joy it gives Jesus to see everyone getting along and enjoying spiritual fellowship, we will arrive in heaven more capable of joy. Just imagine how good it will be to have this 3-dimensional joy, that from our own lives, plus joy from all the lives around us, and topped off by the joy of Jesus Himself.
We should each evaluate how far we have matured in enjoying another’s joy. Have we gotten past focusing on our own experiences and made room to pay attention to the joy others are having? Have we grown to enjoy the happiness of others equally with our own joy? What about being able to focus on Jesus’ joy? Do we still primarily recognize His joy in us individually or have we progressed to see his joy in all of us?
Consider that we have an empty jug we want to fill with great tasting water. We have our own bottle of water we pour into the jug. The jug miraculously grows in size and increases its capacity for water. So we add to the jug ten bottles of water shared with us by ten friends. Now we are getting somewhere! But, the jug grows even bigger with yet more room for additional water. Then we go to the One who promised living water and pour His water into the jug. And, the jug grows huge and overflows. Then, in a moment, death comes to us and we find ourselves in heaven with a huge jug overflowing with water. We meet people there with smaller jugs and we give them water and watch their jugs grow. This feels very, very good.
The path to such filling ourselves with joy is in allowing ourselves to feel the joy of others when we submit to their desires (non-sinful desires) and let them have their way and experience life fuller in their own way. In Christian relationships we can let one another enjoy things of life that do not tend to give us joy. But it gives our friend joy and we experience it. To be able to do this is to expand our own joy. Then we can overflow with joy when we grasp the Lord’s joy because our relationships are full of grace in letting one another enjoy life in different ways.
In heaven for all eternity, we should want to experience the maximum of joy. It can be so wonderful to enter heaven with well-developed capacity to spread joy by submitting to the wishes of others and not being stuck on our own heavenly pursuits.
Furthermore, to be able to take in God’s joy? What JOY!
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
Jesus asked a few of us to walk with Him to a higher place where we could see crowds of heaven’s citizens playing in one of the gigantic parks of the New Jerusalem. All of a sudden, our Lord spread his arms and pronounced, “Behold my joy!”
I could! I could feel the Lord’s joy in the pleasure of His people! Jesus saw the surprised look on my face and bent down to whisper in my ear, “It’s because in the midst of a sinful culture you grew away from self-focus and gave way to make others happy. You learned to find joy in all those you could give of yourself for their pleasure. Just as I am doing for all of you here in heaven.” I looked around and saw that some on our walk with Him seemed not to understand Jesus’ proclamation, “Behold my joy!” They soon wandered over to some beautiful flower. Others understood to a little depth but eventually drifted off to find joy in something they could experience. |
Imagine a mother and father watching their son play baseball from small bleachers in a park in the city. The son hits the pitch and gets on first base. He is very pleased with himself. His parents glance at each other and they share their joy. What makes it so special is their common joy in their son’s accomplishment, as well as their pleasure in their son's joy in getting on base.
It is quite wonderful to share joy with others. Sports fans share excitement and joy at the football game. Friends at the theater seem to enjoy the performance more when they can share a glance of pleasure once in a while. Families enjoy together the baby’s first steps.
Think what it will be like to watch with God the joy of others! Once in a while it might be physically with Jesus when He finds us observing the joy of our fellow citizens in heaven. At those times we can glance His way and He ours and share a twinkle of delight.
At other times while we are enjoying the joy of others we will strongly feel His spiritual presence but not His physical presence. Technically, we could do that now. But, there are so many things in our sinful culture of which we not even aware that get in the way. But the wonder of it all is that in heaven without sinful distractions we will be keenly aware of God’s nearness.
However, if we have not developed our spirits to truly enjoy others having pleasures because we made them possible, we will have little in this way to share with God. No joy as in two parents watching their son play baseball.
So, to have that shared joy with God in three dimensions, ours, other’s and God’s joy experienced simultaneously, let’s make it a steady habit to submit to one another.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Oh, Dear Lord, make me generous with others, letting them have their way and not arguing for my own. And help me to escape self-focus and truly be able to find pleasure in the joy others are having. I would like to enjoy their joy with You. And, may I perceive Your joy and let it fill me.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to let others have their way and also expect that our needs will be treated fairly. May our desire to submit to one another and let others have their way grow with the help of the Holy Spirit so that we live together the way You want us to.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and forego easier, self-focused lives in order to let others have something personal they want from us. Help us to let one another have righteous differences from our ways of believing and doing things.
May our lives worship You more because we are like You and let others have their way as they so choose. Just as You offer us vanilla, chocolate and many other flavors of ice cream, empower us, Holy Spirit, to not be unnecessarily forceful in relating to one another and restrict one another’s freedom in Christ.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by walking away from selfishness and embracing more fully Your divine love, which is self-denial for the good of another. Empower us to resist Satan’s efforts to divide and destroy us by binding ourselves together in our Christian Inner Circles through letting one another find satisfaction in life by not having to have our own ways so much.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by growing more completely to be selfless, which will be the way of heaven. We want to be able to fully embrace the divine love of heaven that comes from Your Being, love that lets others have their way and sees that everyone gets serious consideration.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.
It is quite wonderful to share joy with others. Sports fans share excitement and joy at the football game. Friends at the theater seem to enjoy the performance more when they can share a glance of pleasure once in a while. Families enjoy together the baby’s first steps.
Think what it will be like to watch with God the joy of others! Once in a while it might be physically with Jesus when He finds us observing the joy of our fellow citizens in heaven. At those times we can glance His way and He ours and share a twinkle of delight.
At other times while we are enjoying the joy of others we will strongly feel His spiritual presence but not His physical presence. Technically, we could do that now. But, there are so many things in our sinful culture of which we not even aware that get in the way. But the wonder of it all is that in heaven without sinful distractions we will be keenly aware of God’s nearness.
However, if we have not developed our spirits to truly enjoy others having pleasures because we made them possible, we will have little in this way to share with God. No joy as in two parents watching their son play baseball.
So, to have that shared joy with God in three dimensions, ours, other’s and God’s joy experienced simultaneously, let’s make it a steady habit to submit to one another.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Oh, Dear Lord, make me generous with others, letting them have their way and not arguing for my own. And help me to escape self-focus and truly be able to find pleasure in the joy others are having. I would like to enjoy their joy with You. And, may I perceive Your joy and let it fill me.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to let others have their way and also expect that our needs will be treated fairly. May our desire to submit to one another and let others have their way grow with the help of the Holy Spirit so that we live together the way You want us to.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and forego easier, self-focused lives in order to let others have something personal they want from us. Help us to let one another have righteous differences from our ways of believing and doing things.
May our lives worship You more because we are like You and let others have their way as they so choose. Just as You offer us vanilla, chocolate and many other flavors of ice cream, empower us, Holy Spirit, to not be unnecessarily forceful in relating to one another and restrict one another’s freedom in Christ.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by walking away from selfishness and embracing more fully Your divine love, which is self-denial for the good of another. Empower us to resist Satan’s efforts to divide and destroy us by binding ourselves together in our Christian Inner Circles through letting one another find satisfaction in life by not having to have our own ways so much.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by growing more completely to be selfless, which will be the way of heaven. We want to be able to fully embrace the divine love of heaven that comes from Your Being, love that lets others have their way and sees that everyone gets serious consideration.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.