Prefer Others Because of His Great Love

Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

─ Ephesians 5:18-21 ESV

Adrianna had been divorced for some time. “I’ll never marry again,” she told a friend. But God began to change her heart as He gave her more wisdom and understanding of His design for marriage and the truth about submission – something that had been a huge part of the contention in her marriage.

Paul’s instructions to the Ephesians goes much deeper than just a suggestion. It’s a heartfelt plea to become Christlike with the help of the Holy Spirit. Our human nature struggles to submit on our own, but through our obedience to God’s Word, and our desire to demonstrate God’s love, we can truly give ourselves to others.

Submitting to one another can often be misunderstood. Jesus, our ultimate example, submitted His will to the will of the Father. We submit to God because of His love for us, and our love for Him. When two partners are submitted to and listening to God, they live and love one another as God loves them. Through that loving relationship, we willingly obey His command to submit to others. Because of His great love, we choose to prefer others.

Today’s One Thing

Take time this week to talk to those you love most about honoring God by submitting to one another. Reference this scripture in Ephesians or look at others that connect to this idea of spiritual submission. Work together with that loved one and talk about how you can apply this to your daily walk with God.

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