I want to share a quick note from Ephesians 5:21.
“And be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
Everyone gets all up in arms about this verse. I really don’t think it’s all that controversial. Here’s my take on being subject to one another:
- Be a servant. Philippians 2:3 tells us to consider others more important than ourselves. Even better, Matthew 20:26 tells us that to be great, we must be servants. Be subject to one another in reverence for Christ, who is a servant to us.
- Accept a rebuke. Proverbs 12:15 contrasts a wise man who listens with a fool who thinks his own way is best. II Timothy 2:4 and other verses tell us to grab our brothers and get them on the right track, if they need it… so we need to be humble enough to accept it when they do it to us!
- Love each person as a member of Christ. Galatians 3:28 - there is no male, female, rich, poor, black, white… we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). How disrespectful to God if we fail to love His creation, and especially the very image of our Creator and Salvation!
Ok, so that’s a pretty crazy list… I’ve got to humbly accept it (and take action - II Chronicles 7:14) when dudes say, “Stick, you’re messin' up! Fix yourself!” I’ve got to love that one dude that just keeps talking and talking and talking about …what was he even saying? And I’ve got to work and work and work for the Kingdom, the Church, the body and bride of Christ, even if people give me no credit. Whoa. How do I do all this?
Ephesians 5:18 says I should be filled with the Holy Spirit. Not half full of the Holy Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is powerful - it’s God! It gives us the motivation to “speak to one another in psalms and hymns,” (Ephesians 5:19) and give thanks for all things (Ephesians 5:20) - even the bad ones!