The Beauty Of Submission

Thursday, February 13



Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJ) 
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
Devotion
Submission is often misunderstood in today’s world. Many equate it with weakness, control, or loss of identity. But in God’s design, submission is a beautiful act of love, service, and trust. Jesus Himself modeled perfect submission by yielding to the will of the Father, even to the point of laying down His life for the church (Philippians 2:8). His submission was not about inferiority but about fulfilling a divine purpose through obedience. 

Ephesians 5:25-27 paints a picture of Christ’s love for the church, demonstrating that true submission is intertwined with love. Husbands are called to love their wives with the same sacrificial love that Christ showed. This love is not demanding or self-seeking but purifying, protective, and selfless. Likewise, wives are called to submit (Ephesians 5:22), not as an act of suppression, but as a response to the loving leadership that mirrors Christ. 

Submission in marriage and relationships is not about one person losing while the other gains. It is about both partners reflecting Christ in their roles—serving, honoring, and uplifting one another. It requires humility, trust, and a willingness to surrender selfish desires for the good of the relationship. 

When we submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21), we create an atmosphere where God’s love thrives. Whether in marriage, friendships, or ministry, a heart of submission brings unity, peace, and strength. Just as Christ's submission led to the church’s sanctification, our willingness to yield in love leads to deeper relationships, harmony, and God's blessing.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You that as all love flows from You, so does all submission. Help me remember Jesus taking the form of a man, a servant, and the humility he showed. I confess that I often bristle at humility – especially when it means being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Show me how to better humble myself before my brothers and sisters in Jesus, so that You will lift me up. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

Apply It Today

Married: Seeking to put today’s instruction into practice reflects submission to Jesus on the part of both spouses. Wives, try sharing a difficult situation with your husband and ask him to pray over you for it and to share scriptures that can help your spirit respond to it in a godly way. 

Single: As you spend time reading or hearing the Word of God, pray and ask God for the word to wash you. Be willing to respond to what God shows you through His word. Trust that God sees you and will answer your prayers for sanctification.   

Resources:

  • Watch the message, “Making Love Last”, and endeavor to pursue the kind of love that never gives up, the kind that reflects the heart of Christ.
  • Invest in your relationships, whether you’re married or single, by joining a Connect Group today. Filter your options by selecting the topics “Single” or “Couples”.