CHRIST IN YOU CLOTHES YOU with HUMILITY
What submission means for leaders and followers in a local church of Christ.
The roles seen so far show the principles involved. True Christianity always makes us more caring, more helpful, more respectful, more obedient to those in proper authority over us. Anyone who teaches differently is “puffed up with conceit and understands nothing” (1 Timothy 6:4). Anyone who appeals to “false humility” and imposes improper, harsh rules is “not holding fast to the Head” (Colossians 2:18-23). Anyone who “loves to be first” in the arrogant manner of Diotrephes (3 John 1:9-11) is not a spiritual leader. Our submission is to Christ first and foremost. From Him we learn to whom we owe honor and submission. From Him we learn what submission means, and what it does not mean. Through Him we look forward to the promise that “whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you… (1 Peter 5:5-6).