Submitting in the Fear of the Lord

We were asked to make this, and I failed to get this to Mr. Boucher, so my fault with that. But this has to do with the Italian feast site. The feast in Italy this year will be in the Tuscany region along the sunny shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Tuscany is the official UCG festival site. Some members have been contacted and invited to Sabadea for the feast. Sabadea is not a UCG feast site, and Angelo DeVita is no longer a minister in United Church of God.

Any communication from him should be ignored. Our hotel in Tuscany is a full-service facility, including a spa, a pool, a restaurant located just yards from the sea. We will have the entire premises for ourselves included in the daily room rate. Our three meals daily serve together as a group. So there'll be more details on that as it comes out, but I was asked to make that announcement, so just wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of that. Okay, back to the yield sign. Does everyone know what this is? Sometimes it's a yellow one.

Now that's the one I think of, a big yellow yield sign. When you see it, do you know what to do? You yield, right? You submit to what's going on around you. You don't ignore the sign, correct? You understand that there is merging traffic, and if you don't submit or yield to the person who has the right-of-way, the outcome could be very bad.

It seems there are more and more traffic circles in America, like the one near Jungle Gems. You've probably experienced that one. In fact, one of the men in our Speech and Leadership Club gave a speech on the positive aspects of traffic circles.

Not everyone agreed. You have your opinion on that, I'm sure, but you don't have to stop in a traffic circle, but if you don't learn to yield properly to merging traffic, there will be an accident. Eventually, a collision is just a matter of time, and it probably won't take long.

So one must learn to yield or submit to the person who has the right-of-way, especially when it comes to traffic. And there's a lot of merging traffic and lots of yield signs all along the roads, not just at traffic circles. But you know, to some degree, the same is true in relationships. If we don't learn to yield or submit to a person who may have authority, or who is right, or even someone who has the upper hand to some degree, the outcome could be very bad for us and also for others.

There could be collateral damage, and that should always be considered. There is a verse, unlike any other, that relates to yielding or submitting to one another in a very special way. It's found in Ephesians chapter 5, so let's go there. It's found in verse 21, but let's read a few verses for the context. We'll start in verse 17. Ephesians chapter 5 verse 17. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. So that's the context. Let's understand what God's will is.

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. So it's basically talking about a lifestyle, a godly one, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And then verse 21, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Submitting to one another in the fear of God. Now this word submitting, or variations of it, are used close to about 40 times in the New Testament in the Bible. It's a Greek word. It's Strongs 5293 and it's Hupotasso. And Thayer's says this about this word. It means to arrange under, to subordinate, to subject, to put in subjection, to subject oneself, to submit to one's control, to yield to one's admonition or advice, to obey, to be subject. So that's what this word means and various variations such as submit or submitted, that type of word.

So submitting to one another in the fear of God. What should we learn from this verse? How are we to apply this verse in everyday life, in marriage, in family, at school, and at work? How should we submit to one another in the fear of God?

Ephesians chapter 5 21 is to be applied in various types of relationships with others. The context in which this verse is given is one of general Christian living that transitions into marriage, then family, including children and parenting, then the workplace. So let's consider these categories mentioned in Ephesians chapter 5 as we ask and answer the question, how does one submit to another in the fear of God?

So point number one, or principle number one, in regard to this, general Christian living. It says, in all things, being respectful of one another and of the feelings and well-being of each other. So the first category is general Christian living. We should be respectful of one another. It doesn't matter who the person is, we should be respectful of that person.

Now, if they do things that are not to be respected, we don't just ignore those things, but we try to be as respectful as we possibly can be, and we give someone the benefit of the doubt, and we work with them in that context, considering the feelings and the well-being of each other. Notice this verse says there is a particular way that one should submit in the fear of God. So this shows there may be other ways to submit that aren't in the fear of God, but we're going to talk about submitting in the fear of God today.

It's important that we all understand how to submit to one another in the fear of God. When someone submits to another in the fear of God, it means they are first submitting themselves to God and to His principles of living. They love and fear, or they respect and reverence, God more than they fear man. So they're putting God first in their relationship with others. We should always put God first and obey God rather than men.

A person who's trying to submit to one another in the fear of God would ask, how would God want this situation handled? How would God want me to behave in this situation? God is supreme, and the principles and laws of God are supreme.

It is the principle of the thing. Principles matter to God, and they should matter to us. We begin with the Ten Commandments because that is God's basic fundamental law, so we begin with the Ten Commandments to understand God's principles and what are important to Him. Jesus Christ, we know, magnified the Ten Commandments by showing that we must go beyond obeying the letter of the law, but most importantly, we need to apply the spirit of the law. We need to keep the letter as well, but we need to go beyond that and apply the spirit of the law. And it seems the spirit of the law may be the same as the law of love. You know, if you stop and think about it, God is love. God is spirit. How love I God's law, the spirit of the law, at least to a point, is the law of love. So it's very important that we're exercising the law of love in our relationships with one another. God and Christ should always be first in all things. Give them your love and your loyalty, and let God's principles and ways always guide you. So seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The first two commandments talk about honoring God, putting Him first before anything else, putting Him first in your thoughts and as much as possible in your time and in your priorities. Don't bring dishonor to the family name. That's the third commandment. You say you're a believer in God, then behave like Him. You say you're a follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ. Be sure to reflect His character in the daily decisions that you make. Remember the day that God set aside to rest and to worship Him. Honor God's Sabbaths and worship Him in spirit and in truth. Honor your parents. And as an extension, honor your family members as well. Again, love all people. Don't murder them. Don't commit adultery with them. Don't steal from them. Don't lie to them and don't covet or desire their property or their things. These are God's fundamental Ten Commandments. Love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Two great commandments. And another principle very similar to these is, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So we're talking about submitting in the fear of God and we have to know what God's will is. God's will is His commandments, His laws, His principles. He wants us to live within those laws and those principles. So submit to God's principles first and foremost. This is what it's talking about here when we submit to someone in the fear of God. That should be our guiding principles as we inter-relate and react to other people. Set the right godly example for others and how you live your life. Again, in the daily decisions that you make, every decision is important. You know, how you treat people is very, very important. It's not to be minimized. It's very important. Why and when would we need to submit to one another? Well, submission should be given in order to accomplish what is right, what is good, what needs to be done. When two or more people are coming into conflict and disagreement, submission needs to take place for the overall good so that which is right, that which is best, that which God would be pleased with will occur. So first, submit to God's will. Submit to His principles in your life. Then submit to that which is best for upholding God's laws and principles and for a godly outcome in your relationships with each other. Remember, God is not mocked and you will reap what you sow. Break God's law and it will break you because there are curses that are attached to breaking God's law, to disobedience. We know that repentance often alleviates, to some degree, those curses, but not totally. There is a price to pay, a consequence. So in Galatians chapter 6, if we'll go there for a moment, let's read a few verses here.

Galatians chapter 6 and verse 7, do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will love the flesh reap corruption. So if you respond to people in a fleshly way, in a carnal way, then you're going to reap corruption.

It's not going to be good for the relationships. But he who sows to the Spirit will love the Spirit reap everlasting life. So it's a powerful principle when you apply the Spirit of love, the Spirit of God, in all your relationships. Verse 9, and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. So if we just keep doing the right thing, it's going to pay off for us.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. We're supposed to do good to everyone, but especially those in this room, those who are of the household of faith. We should truly treat one another with love and respect at all times. In James chapter 4, verse 7, just one verse we'll read here, James chapter 4, verse 7, Therefore submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We're not to submit to the devil, are we? Of course not. We're not to give in to the devil or to the devil's principles. We are to resist him and his principles of living that lead to destruction and death. Again, we are to submit one to another in the fear of God. In everyday life, we should exercise common courtesy to one another. We should really think this through. Common courtesy. Everyone deserves that, don't they? So when you're interacting with people, you know, really think through what it is you're asking of them or what you're planning to do. Show them some common courtesy. God is not a respecter of persons, nor should you be.

Don't manipulate others to gain some type of advantage or promote your own agenda. Be fair and equitable. Again, do not break the law of love. Colossians chapter 3, let's go there for a second. Actually, a few seconds. Colossians chapter 3 verse 23. Colossians 3 verse 23. And whatever you do, do it heartily, that is, with a good heart and in a wholehearted manner, as to the Lord and not to men. Whatever you do, do it heartily.

Again, submitting to God in the fear of God. Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

God is not a respecter of persons. Why is that? Because he respects all of us the same. You know, God respects us. He's created us in his image, in his likeness. Again, we can do things that will cause people to lose respect, but to start with, we should respect everyone and even show respect to those who are not all that respectful in some ways, as best we can. So this verse means he doesn't respect some over others.

You know, God doesn't play favorites. He doesn't respect some over others. He respects everyone the same and judges everyone in the same manner and by the same principles. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Human beings tend to respect some more than others. Now, this is just humanly how it often works. We tend to respect some more than others, maybe because they're wealthy, maybe because they're handsome or beautiful, maybe because they have a powerful position. God looks on the heart of a person, not on the outward appearance of beauty, wealth, or position.

Let's go to 1 Peter, chapter 5. Again, we're talking about submitting to one another in the fear of God. So let's see what Peter says. 1 Peter 5, he gives us some instruction in regard to relationships. 1 Peter, chapter 5, verse 5, likewise, you younger people. I guess you'll have to decide who the younger ones are. I guess we're all younger in comparison to somebody.

But anyway, likewise, you younger people. I'm sure he's talking mostly to children or young adults. Submit yourself to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility. We should be clothed with humility. Wherever we go, in all of our relationships, we should be clothed with humility. That's how we should treat one another. 4, God resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. You know, Satan was a proud being.

Was that not the first sin? Is that the pride got the best of him? God resists the proud, he gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Now, God will take care of his children, his family, his own. So we needn't be concerned about that.

We should put it in God's hands. So, younger people submit to those who are older. And notice, it says, be submissive to one another. This is the second time in the Bible where it talks about submitting one to another. It doesn't say, in the fear of God here, but surely that's what it means.

Submitting one to another in the fear of God and being humble. That goes along with it. So, humble yourselves before the mighty hand of God. So, we've talked about, in general, how we treat each other every day. All the decisions that we make should be done as we submit to one another in the fear of God. To hurt another child of God is not something God takes lightly. Keep that in mind as you go throughout your life. Secondly, let's talk about marriage.

Ephesians 5 obviously talks about marriage. Now, God has given the man greater authority within a marriage, but he's not to abuse that authority in marriage. We know that. We talk about that a lot. God takes that very seriously. When a husband is abusing his authority, God does not look at that in a good way at all. So, men, we have to be careful how we lead, how we guide in our marriage. A strong vital marriage requires that a husband take the lead, especially in setting a godly example in the marriage.

A husband should sometimes submit to his wife's desires and wishes. Maybe a lot of the times, you know. A lot of the times. What do they say if mama ain't happy? Ain't nobody happy. So, we do have to, you know, keep it all in mind as we go through life. However, we need to follow the biblical principles the way God wants us to. A husband should, at times, submit to his wife's desires and wishes, even when he doesn't necessarily want to, especially on important issues when she has good insight and perhaps a better idea.

Or when she's right and the husband is wrong about certain things, maybe finances. Okay, this is a big area in life. Maybe finances. The wife gives her opinion and in wisdom, the husband decides to follow that opinion. Maybe not always, but when she has good insight, men we should then yield to our wives or submit to our wives in this area because it is best for the family.

It's best for the marriage. The husband is still in charge, but out of strength, he decides to yield to his wife's wishes and her opinions are good opinions. He doesn't go out and buy that $15,000 bass boat.

Unless he's a millionaire, then money's not so much of an object. But if money's tight, he knows he's being greedy and can't really afford it, there are higher family priorities for that money, for that $15,000. He doesn't want to be greedy or covetous because he's submitting in the fear of God, right?

He submits one to another, in this case, the husband's submitting to the wife in the fear of the Lord, even though he's head of the family and he has the power to go ahead with a selfish decision. Put it on the credit card. Got $20,000 credit on there.

You know, max it out. Not a wise thing to do. So he may have the power to do it, but if it's a selfish thing, man, let's be better than that.

The person with authority is always responsible to make decisions that are based on what is good for the whole, for the group, for the marriage, for the family. He's responsible as their servant, leader, to be like Christ and not use his position for his own advantage. Any selfish action has no place as a godly husband or true servant leader. So we should think about that. Are we being selfish?

If we are, then back off.

Likewise, submission is for the good of the whole. It is not done out of fear of man, but it's done out of love and a desire for peace and unity. It takes courage and strength to submit out of a true godly fear. And just like it takes humility to lead properly, in a godly manner, it takes humility to submit in a godly manner.

Now, women are in a tough position in some ways, aren't they? I mean, men don't really like to submit, and I doubt that most women are that crazy about it.

But that's the position God has placed them in, and they do have to learn what that means. But they submit in the fear of God. And if they have a good husband who's willing to lay their life down for them, submission really isn't much of an issue. It doesn't have to be much of an issue at all. So again, it takes humility to submit in a godly manner. So I commend all you ladies out there that are put in a position where you're supposed to submit to guys like me.

That could be very difficult at times.

Again, it takes courage and strength to submit out of a true godly fear, striving for peace and unity in the family. Sometimes these decisions are tough. You know, they're not easy decisions. We have to pray about them. We have to maybe even fast about them at times. Although there are consequences from God when one does not submit, submission in the Bible is generally voluntary. God doesn't force us to obey. God didn't force you to come here today.

That was your choice. God didn't force this. God doesn't force obedience. Husbands shouldn't try to force their wives into submitting to them. Big mistake.

That goes against God's principles of free will. You know, we're all created in God's image. We have free will. God's given us that free will. Wives are to submit willingly in the fear of God to a husband who truly loves them and again would give his life for them. A true partnership in marriage or any other relationship should be a safe place.

Men, if your wife has never respectfully and humbly told you that you may want to check your attitude or check your pride, you may not have a very safe and valuable partnership. You know, if she can't speak freely when you're being a jerk, then you probably don't have a very safe relationship. You know, they should feel that they can speak up, especially if it seems that a guy is maybe going astray and not following God's principles.

So this takes trust, security, love, and mutual respect for a wife to open up to her husband and to approach him about this sort of thing. But we should allow our wives to feel safe in our marriage, in our relationship. You know, they should be able to talk to us about anything.

And we would listen and take to heart the things that are important to our wives. A person must know, or most people anyway, want to know that they are loved and respected before they really open up. Now, some people open up regardless. You know, they're very out there, but many people, they need to know they're loved and respected before they'll really open up and share disagreements. You know, they don't always come out with that.

Otherwise, it's not going to be given or taken in the right attitude, or, you know, it's not going to really benefit anyone. Now, all Christian relationships should be based on this partnership principle. You know, there should be a true partnership. We're supposed to become one like God is one, and we know marriage is symbolic of that relationship between God and the church, and between God and Jesus Christ. We must all give each other the benefit of the doubt. Now, God and Christ don't need the benefit of the doubt because they're always perfect, and we should always know that. But we, on the other hand, should be given the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. We're all flawed Christians who are striving for this goal, but we fall short in actually living it sometimes. We don't always have the kind of harmony in our marriages and in our relationships that we would like. Submission requires patience and forgiveness towards those that we submit to. Just as servant leadership requires that God's Spirit should be guiding all decisions for the overall good. Submission also requires patience and forgiveness from all those who lead us, so it works both ways. There should be patience and forgiveness for those who are in the position of leadership, but also there should be patience for those who are in the position of leadership. There should be patience and forgiveness. It's reciprocal. We should love and respect each other. We should be patient and learn to forgive each other. No one is perfect, and so we need to give them the benefit of the doubt and continue to work with things until we have a better picture. So back to Ephesians chapter 5. Let's go back to Ephesians chapter 5, and we'll pick it up in verse 22. We read verse 21 where it talks about submitting one to another in the fear of God. And then verse 22, wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. Excuse me, for the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church, and he's Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Now that doesn't mean if he's being abusive, obviously.

You know, there are limits. When a husband is being abusive, then a woman needs to make sure that she protects herself, protects her family. But we're just talking about, in general, wives do need to learn to be submissive toward their husbands. Husbands love your wives. If a husband loves his wife, is it not going to be so much easier to submit to someone who really loves them and is putting their best interests first? That's so much easier for a wife to submit to her husband. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands love your wives just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for her. So it is a partnership, and marriage is the best place on earth, I think, to learn these principles. Not that you can't learn them in other ways and in other relationships, but this one is especially effective if we will just apply these things and submit to God first. In Colossians 3, verse 18, Paul says, So again, we have to consider what the Lord would have us do. There are times when the Lord would have us get out of a relationship that's abusive, that's heading in a very, very bad direction. There are times people have to sometimes make those decisions, depending on how they're being treated. Why submit to your own husbands as is fitting in the Lord? What would God want? God wants a man to love his wife and give of himself so much so just like Christ gave himself, was crucified on our behalf. That's the standard that men are being held to.

Husbands are being held to that standard. Love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. And then wives submit to your own husbands as is fitting in the Lord.

To submit in this context means to yield to God's principles or to another person who is following God's principles, or sometimes for the overall good, even when someone is not following Godly principles. There are times, yes, when as long as it's not an extreme situation, there are times to submit for the overall good. For example, we obey or yield to the traffic laws for our own safety and for the safety of others. Now these are analogies so they can only go so far, but even though you may be in the right or you may have the right-of-way, should you yield or give up the right-of-way if it may save your life?

So you're driving down the road and this big truck is merging and he's coming into your lane. You have the right-of-way. He's supposed to back off and let you have your way, but he's not doing it. He's not slowing down. What do you do then? You just keep right on going and have him hit your broadside? No, you give up the right-of-way because it's wiser. You know, you got to use wisdom when it comes to our relationships. Think things through. Don't be hasty. Think things through. Now again, I'm not talking about compromising God's principles because we need to obey God rather than man. If someone's telling us to disobey God, that's going too far, but even then you have to be careful depending on the situation and how you handle it.

We should not compromise Godly principles to save our lives.

There are times when we have to be willing to die. Again, we're to obey God rather than man, but we need to use wisdom. We need to really think things through and not be hasty. We need to be humble rather than hasty. What if a semi-truck is coming into your lane because he's about to hit a motorcycle that you don't even see? You can't even see the motorcycle, but he sees it. If you're stubborn, you could end up causing the death of the person on the motorcycle. So don't be hasty. And if you need to yield, then yield.

Again, a person may be breaking the law, but you yield anyway for the greater good in a situation like that. Again, these analogies only go so far. Now, the one who is right with God and has God on his side is the one who really has the right of way, isn't he? I mean, that's the one that truly has the right of way if he's right with God.

But sometimes he may have to give up, again, a person may have to give up his right of way for the overall good. Again, I'm not talking about breaking God's law, but submitting to avoid greater conflicts. There were times in my families where my dad was not treating my mother well, but rather than just humbly saying nothing, she would escalate things. And I so wish she would just be quiet in those situations, because all it did was make my dad matter more angry. So even if she was in the right, because he was being a bad husband, it's better for the family to be humble, to be careful, not to escalate things, and not to go down that path. It's important to talk things out and to collaborate whenever possible, whenever we can. Talk these things out. So there's less chance of misunderstanding. Oftentimes, there's just a lot of misunderstanding in relationships, because we don't open up. We don't talk things out.

We need to be more willing to do that, and husbands need to be sure that their wives feel safe, so they can talk things out.

All right, so that's the second area marriage. Let's go on to a third. This one just extends it to the family. Okay, now we're going to go beyond the marriage, just the husband and wife, to the family. And we talked a little bit about the family already, so it fits right in here. Let's go to Ephesians chapter 6. So this is right after Ephesians chapter 5, obviously. So the context is submitting to one another in the fear of God in marriage, but also in family relationships. So Ephesians chapter 6, 1. Some advice for you children who are listening in. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. God says, honor your father and mother. So obey your parents. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.

You know, it's in capital words here, capital letters, words.

God wants us to get this. There's a blessing to all you children if you learn to obey your parents, because that's what God wants. He wants you to obey your parents. And you fathers do not provoke your children to wrath. Don't provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and the admonition of the Lord. So fathers can sometimes provoke their children to wrath.

Be careful. Be humble in all your relationships with your children.

Treat them with respect. Treat them with love. Listen to them.

Now, in Colossians chapter 3, verse 20, some more instruction to children from the same man who wrote Ephesians, the apostle Paul, Colossians chapter 3, verse 20, children obey your parents in all things. For this is well pleasing to the Lord. Verse 21, fathers do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged. You don't want to discourage your children, so don't provoke them.

Be sensitive. Avoid collateral damage when it comes to children. Avoid it at all costs. Like I said, my mom had she just been quieter? And my mother was a great mom, by the way. I, you know, I'm not disparaging my mother because she was awesome. I have a tremendous mom who ended up in God's church and I thank God for her continually, but she wasn't perfect.

But there was collateral damage that happened because of engaging when it's better not to engage.

Avoid collateral damage when it comes to children. Always make your children a priority. They are a priority. God will hold you accountable for how you treat your children.

Now, to some degree, there is a power struggle going on in every home. If you stop and think about it, there's a power struggle. You've got a husband, you've got a wife, you've got children, you've got this whole dynamic, and there's somewhat of a power struggle going on. And that's why it's so important that we submit one to another in the fear of God, knowing that we will be held accountable, knowing that we will reap what we've sown in our relationships, how we treat our children, how we treat each other. Extremely important. And, you know, when there's a power struggle going on between a husband and wife, the kids should not know about it.

The kids should not know about it. To the best degree, keep that away from the children.

Be unified. Show love. Show concern. If you're going to have a little bit of a power struggle going on, take it somewhere else. All right, let's go on to another category, the laws of the land.

Submit to the laws of the land in the fear of God.

Now, we go to Romans chapter 13, and I know many of you are very familiar with Romans 13, but we have to submit to the laws of the land in the fear of God. Romans chapter 13 verse 1, Romans 13 verse 1, that every soul be subject to the governing authorities.

For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Now, I think we can only take this so far. You know, I mean, we can only take this so far. It doesn't mean that God's happy with Edie Amin or Adolf Hitler. You know, it doesn't mean that at all. God allows some things, but we're talking about in general here. In general, not certain specifics, but in general. Verse 2, therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works. They're not supposed to be. Sometimes they are. If they're bad leaders, awful leaders, then they are. But in general, they're not supposed to be. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. That's the way it's supposed to work. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is God's minister or servant, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Now, this was written in the context of the Roman Empire, and they didn't mess around a whole lot. You know, so you had to be respectful of the government, otherwise off with your head. Verse 5, Romans 13, therefore you must be subject not only because of wrath, what might come upon you, but also for conscience sake. Again, submitting in the fear of God. That's what we're talking about here. Submitting in the fear of God is the right thing to do.

He goes on to say, for because of this, you also pay taxes. I don't like to pay taxes.

I hate paying taxes, but that's the way the system set up. That's the way it works. It's against the law not to pay your taxes. I've known a few church members that refuse to pay taxes, and they dodged the bullet for 30-40 years. Got away with it, even. I'm not sure they're going to get away with that with God. You know, not a wise choice to make, because the Scripture says, we're supposed to pay our taxes. Render therefore to all their due taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor.

God will hold us accountable in these areas. In Titus chapter 3 verse 1, remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, it says. We're in Titus chapter 3 verse 1. Remind them to be subject, and it's Paul to Timothy, giving instruction to a young minister to remind the brethren to be subject to rulers and authorities to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable. You know, speaking evil of people can get you thrown in prison, even, under the Roman government. You might be able to get away with it here, but back then they were a lot stricter about certain things.

To speak evil of no one, be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

All humility to all men. Showing humility. Now, we don't always do that, do we?

And sometimes we pride ourselves in being prideful when we're not acting in humility.

Now, let's go to 1 Peter chapter 2.

1 Peter chapter 2 verse 13.

Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king, as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. God wants us to do good. That's the way we should live our lives. So, he clearly shows us that we are to submit to the laws of the land.

Unless they conflict with God's law, then obviously we obey God rather than men. Okay, a fifth area. At work or school. Submitting in the fear of God at work or school.

Of course, we live in a different time and age. We're not under Roman rule today, as many of our ancient brethren were under this time in the New Testament when it was written.

So, it's talking about bond servants. It's talking about slaves. Slavery was allowed at that time. In fact, some sources say 20 to 30 percent of those in the Roman Empire were slaves.

Big percentage. So, Paul is dealing with the reality of the situation.

But it can also apply to us today. We're not slaves, but we're employees at times. So, let's read Ephesians 6, verse 5. So, again, we started in Ephesians 5. We went on into Ephesians 6. It's the same overall context here. Verse 5, Bond servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of Christ, as to Christ. So, again, with humility.

Not with eye service as men pleasers, but as bond servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Again, God looks on the heart. He wants to see our motivation, why we do the things we do. With good will, doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.

God, again, needs to be first. Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he's a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them.

Giving up, threatening, knowing that your own master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. So, masters were going to be judged. Onesimus, Philemon, you know, there was a relationship there. They both had to treat each other with respect and with love, submitting to one another in the fear of God. So, employers have a responsibility to treat employees in a godly manner, looking out for their welfare and treating them with love and respect.

Employees also have a responsibility to work hard and to be profitable servants for their employers who bear certain risks by making their jobs available. You know, if you sign on the line, you took the job, then treat the man with respect or treat the company with respect or go find another job. If it's that horrible, then go look elsewhere or make peace with wherever you're working.

It says we should show respect. So, talking it down and all that. I mean, there's, again, there's a balance. Men have abused employees over the years. That's why we have all these trade unions and everything. Child labor, you know, so much crazy, wrong things have happened when it comes to these relationships throughout history. So, employees have a responsibility to work hard to be profitable servants for their employers. Okay, now, 1 Peter chapter 2, 18. Just one verse that ties in with this. 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 18. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. So, even though a master or an employer is harsh, we're still to submit, again, using wisdom because really this is for our own good as we oftentimes have no recourse against a harsh employer.

If we want the job, then we have to show respect, even though they're being harsh.

We don't want to make things worse, and if we don't submit in humility, things will get worse.

And we'll get fired. We have to go look for another job.

So, at work or school, we need to submit in the fear of God. Within God's church, it's also true, and I'm not going to say a whole lot about this.

There is some authority within the Church of God, but again, ministers, the Council of Elders, the President of the United, everyone comes under the same rules. In other words, the law of love. I have to treat you with love and respect. Or, I'm a bad minister.

If I don't do that, I'm a bad minister. Please let me know if you think I'm being bad. Speak up. I'll try to listen. I hope that I could listen. If you see me doing something that's wrong, let me know. Come to me. Talk to me. In 1 Corinthians 16, verses 15 and 16, it says, I urge you, brethren, you know the household of Stephanus, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints. They've proven themselves, good servants, that you also submit to such. It says you should submit to those who rule well or those who lead well because they look out for you. That's what a good shepherd does. That's what a good pastor does. A good minister. In fact, Hebrews 13, verse 7 says that.

It says, Remember those who rule or lead you or guide you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Yes, we are held accountable. I'm held accountable to all of you. You have a say in all this. Submit to one another in the fear of God. So, brethren, learning to submit or yield to others in the fear of God is extremely important to a true Christian. Love should guide all of our decisions in everyday life, in marriage, in family, and in the workplace. The yield sign is for our safety. It is for our good.

Sometimes we just need to yield for the overall good. Let us all pray for wisdom to know when to submit and to yield in life. Let us all humble ourselves before God. Let us learn to submit to one another in the fear of God. Let us yield.