Submission (ways of God)


Introduction: Mutual understanding is required for any meaningful relationship to subsist. As we all know, God made man so He would express Himself via fellowship/relationship. Prov 18:24 asserts, “A man that has friends must show himself friendly…” That statement infers a “cause and effect” model in which nothing happens by accident. In terms of relating with God, there is no doubt the fact that God has fulfilled His pact –promises, admonitions, words of wisdom, acts of mercy and grace, as well as several benefits (Psalms 103:1-5; James 1:17). Our lot is to trust in Him. When we do this, we would fulfil God’s requirement in restoring our lost virtue. One of the reasons for eternal judgement would be failure of humans to trust in God!
God is always testing (checking on) our minds/hearts, to know what our thoughts are- not because he is limited in knowledge but so as to lay naked our level of commitment. In other words, He reveals us to ourselves! The measure of strength of a person is not during a peaceful time but in battle. Historically, stories of Joseph and Job revealed some aspects of God’s modus operandi.
Text: Matt 26:31-39
Discussions:
·         According to Matt 6:8….God knows what our needs are even before we ask Him- Why then does He require us to ask for them in prayer? Mark 11:24; also, we don’t get what we need because we do not ask? James 4:2
·         Mark 10: 33 reports how Jesus knew he was going to Jerusalem to die and yet He prayed later on for the cup of suffering to pass from Him. What did Jesus aim to achieve by this prayer and what lesson can we derive from this? Jesus is God, the son; why did he have to pray …sometimes, all night?
·         God did not destroy all the enemies of Israel when they got into Canaan…to “teach war to the generation of those that would be born later” Judges 3:1, 2. Why would God not allow people to learn from historical facts only (1Cor 10:11), but would rather have people go through experiences? Rom 5:3-5; Heb 6:12; James 1:3, 4.
Summary: God’s intention for navigating a traditionally “archaic” way of achieving intentions has proven to be ever potent. Spiritual gains are achieved via mechanisms that are non-visible and may not be attractive or sound sane to our “schooled/educated” mind-set. Be that as it may, God’s foundation stands sure. Submission to the purpose and intents of God is the ultimate destination of all spiritual graces.

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