When I read this article by brother David Diestelkamp, one of the writers for the "Think On These Things" publication, my eyes focused on the above key phrase in the article — Christ-likeness!As brother Diestelkamp illustrates:
1) When our submission brings us life circumstances we don't want to experience, look at Christ in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-44) — Christ-likeness!
2) When our submission doesn't allow us to do or say what we want (John 6:38) — Christ-likeness!
3) When we are required to obey those things that are difficult (Hebrews 5:8) — Christ-likeness!
4) When subjection requires that we remain silent (Matthew 26:63; Isaiah 53:7) — Christ-likeness!
5) When people don't appreciate, thank, or honor us, but we continue to do what's right (Mark 15:32; Philippians 2:5-9) — Christ-likeness!
6) When people look at our submission as being weak (Matthew 27:42) — Christ-likeness!
7) When we submit to someone as our superior (1 Corinthians 11:3) — Christ-likeness!
8) When we defer the right to revenge, and instead forgive the undeserving (Luke 23:24) — Christ-likeness!
Brother Diestelkamp concludes his article by stating the following:
"Instead of whining and complaining about “having” to submit to each other, we should welcome it as an opportunity to be Christ-like. Sometimes we’ll find ourselves submitting when others don’t have to. We can rejoice and be glad that we are blessed with these opportunities to be Christ-like that others don’t have!"
We can indeed rejoice and be glad, brother Diestelkamp! (Philippians 4:4; Philippians 4:13).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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