Submit therefore to God. Submit To God James 4: 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you

Four aspects of our submission 1. Obstacles to submitting to God. 2. Reasons to submit to God. 3. How to submit to God. 4. Blessings of submission to God.

I. There are obstacles to submitting to God.

By nature man is independent. I Corinthians 2: 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

People are motivated by their personal desires. James 4: 1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?

Ephesians 2: 1-3 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

James 4: 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. I John 2: 15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Satan seeks to lead us away from God. I Peter 5: 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Hebrews 13: 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

II Corinthians 11: 13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

II. What are some reasons one should submit to God ?

God is our creator so He owns us. Psalms 24: 1 The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. I Peter 4: 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

God is the almighty sovereign ruler. Ephesians 3: 21 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, …. Romans 14: 10 For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God."

It is God who sustains us. Colossians 1: 16-17 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Acts 17: 26-28 He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

God loves us and saves for us. Romans 5: 8, 10 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ….. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Matthew 5: 44-45 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

III. How does one go about submitting to God ?

One who submits to God must commit his heart to obeying the laws of God. Psalms 119: 97 O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

I John 2: 3-5a By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, " I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected.

Obey the civil representatives of God. Romans 13: 1-2 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

He learns about God with a view toward becoming like Him. Genesis 1: 26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;

Philippians 3: 20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Colossians 1: 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Galatians 2: 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

IV. There are blessings that result from submitting to God.

Totally surrendering to God gives one peace in his heart. I Peter 5: 6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Philippians 4: 6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Complete submission creates a secure and loving relationship with God. I John 4: 18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Romans 8: 1-2 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. I John 5: 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

NOT : “Do as I say, not as I do.” . When one is surrendered to God, his advocacy for Him is credible. NOT : “Do as I say, not as I do.” . I Corinthians 11: 1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Total submission gives one the anticipation of eternity with God. II Timothy 4: 7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Jesus invites you to surrender to Him while you can receive the blessing. Matthew 11: 29 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

One day every person ever born will submit to God’s sovereign reign. Romans 14: 10 For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God."

Romans 6: 16-19 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 … continued

Romans 6: 16-19 … continuation and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

Have you submitted your eternal destiny to God’s care and keeping ?

Surrender your life to Christ. He will secure it eternally.