Characteristics of a submissive Christian

Submissive can be a dirty word. Our world celebrates headstrong individuals which they contrast to submission. However, Christians are called to be submissive and thankfully, we can trust the one we submit to because we know he is gentle and humble at heart (Matthew 11:29).

So, what does a submissive Christian look like?

Submissive Christians submit their desires to God (James 4:1-12)

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?.. So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 1:1, 7)

The author of James continues speaking to the Christians seeking to be teachers amongst the people. From chapter three, we know their intentions were less than honourable. Many of them sought to be teachers merely for the reputational perks of becoming a teacher of the law. This is just one example of an evil desire to which the author refers. One of many that can be traced to pride within our hearts.

The author quotes Proverbs saying, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” The proud here are defined as people who live according to their own desires instead of the Lord’s. But this is the very opposite of what it means to be submissive. Instead, submission looks like washing our hands (removing sin from our lives), purifying our hearts (bringing our full attention back to God), and humbling ourselves (seeing ourselves in light of who God is or more importantly, what he’s done for us through his son, Jesus Christ). So, because of Jesus, who purchased our freedom and who set the example for us, submit your desires to God.

Submissive Christians submit their life (James 4:13-17)

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that. (James 4:14-15)

Amongst the wannabe teachers, there were some who were confidently making plans to travel and work. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with making plans, the author of James berates this person. Why? Because of their lack of dependence on God to make their plans. This is evident through his language and absence of God. Like the author of Ecclesiastes, the author of James knew that life was fleeting, unpredictable and uncontrollable. The only one who does have total control? God.

As for us, what is more assuring than submitting our whole lives to the one being who knows our future plans and path? The shortness of our life means life can feel so fast paced. We blink and years have passed. Because of this, we find it difficult to look at the eternal things, or the things of above. But this is what God calls us to do when we submit our lives to him. Break the comfortable patterns of our lives. Seek the things that are greater than our own. And find ourselves living life to the fullness that God intends because of our disregard for the unpredictable tomorrow.