Thinking this morning about biblical submission and how Christ modeled this for us. Submission is an attitude not an action. Obedience is the action. We can obey without submission, but we can't really submit without obedience.
Our ability to submit informs our actions.
The definition of attitude according to my Google search is "a set of settled beliefs or feelings reflected in behavior." The word that stands out to me is the word "settled." It seems like this word tells us that something has been wrestled with, won over, and decided. It's settled.
Hypocrites will give an appearance of submission through obedience, but not actually have a heart that submits. The true attitude shines through and unbelievers become jaded by inauthentic interactions they experience with Christian's who do not follow Christ's model.
This happens when Christians skip over the wrestling part. Trying to project an image of submission without actually evaluating your true feelings, anguishing over the self denial that is necessary and adopting the same attitude of Christ in full trust which is painful and hard, looks like you don't really understand how life works. It feels like it takes too long, but by skipping it, you project an image that is out of touch with suffering.
We can be afraid that we will look to others like we lack faith if we show any hint of struggle. So, we try to hide it. But, in reality, we look like we are putting on a show. Faking it until we are making it. That's following the world's idea of submission, not Christ's.
He didn't submit on the cross.
Notice that it says that He "was obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross..." (v.8) He didn't submit on the cross. He submitted in the Garden of Gethsemane where He prayed and wrestled and sweat blood. It was settled there. His submission to the Father's will informed His actions and His obedience--He was obedient, even to death on the cross.
That is His example. It's not meant to be pretty or easy. It is dying... to self...to goals... to intentions... and it is rising to faith...to trust... and to obedience. Walking through that process is hard, but it produces an authentic picture of godly, Christlike submission. Don't skip over it. The world can tell.
And the world needs authenticity.
