Partnering With One Another

The most incredible invitation Jesus made in his life among us was for each of us to simply follow him. As I read the New Testament, it's interesting to me to see how often the apostles reminded the early followers that they were not offering them a religion to observe, but inviting them into a living relationship with Jesus that would allow them to know his Father and participate in his unfolding grace in the world. "Our fellowship is with him!" "Believe what you hear." "Follow me as I follow Christ."

The question is, how can we encourage one another in the same way? It seems to me that it comes as we discover the power of what it means to submit to one another. Now granted all too often submission is about control and manipulation but is there another way to look at it. I believe there is. Truly submitting to one another is something that allows us to partner with others in the process of being changed by Jesus, not to control them to do what we think best.

If anyone had the right to command obedience, it would have been Jesus when he lived in the flesh. That, however, is not how he treated people. He presented truth to them and in doing so gave them a simple option: They could follow his way or not. He let people have their journey because he wanted them to follow out of the conviction of their conscience and not because he could threaten or cajole them into conformity. He modeled God's love to everyone, knowing the joy of participating in the Father's family was far more effective than strict obedience.

Join us as we explore the power of living out what it really means to submit to one another.