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Matthew 6:9-15 – We know that God’s will is not done on earth as it is in heaven… so how does this prayer even begin to be answered?
A lack of cooperation is a trait of untrained, unbroken horses. They are big and strong and can be dangerous if they are not under control. To be useful, horses need to be broken and trained.
The godless, kicking and bucking in rebellion agains restraints, casting away Gods laws and ways for what they think is freedom. Disobedience and rebellion today is from the same root as Adam and Eve’s.
The problem with people, and horses, is a conflict of wills. God has called the Christian to surrender, to submit to His plan and design. A plan and design of order and of peace.
God’s design means that we also have authorities of early type over us. Whether to the king, or governor, parents, church leaders, etc.
For the Christian, submission goes way beyond obedience. Obedience is actually often the simple part. Christian submission includes how we obey, what our motive is, etc.
The Christian identifies with the garden prayer… “not my will, but thine be done.” Fitting into God’s order, the way that God intended for things to work.
Matthew 11:28-30 – “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” We often think of this for people who are in very difficult situations.. but there is more here than just that. We often are distressed because we aren’t surrendered, we aren’t walking step by step with Christ.
It’s one thing to submit ourselves to the government… it is another thing to submit ourselves to the government, for the Lord’s sake.
Someone obeying God from the heart isn’t worried about whether a parent will find out, or a police man is parked around the corner. It isn’t basing cooperation on how nice, or even how fair the authority is.
We are also to submit to one another. Caring about the needs and desires of others before our own. Submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.
Even Christians who are in positions of authority are servants. They are accountable to God, they are to submit themselves to others also, and submit themselves to those they have responsibilities for.
Eventually, all people will submit to God.
Scriptures used – Matthew 6:9-15, Psalm 32:9, 2 Timothy 3, Romans 13, 1 Peter 2:13, Colossians 3:22, Hebrews 12:9, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 2, James 2:8