Ephesians 5:21 – submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Spirit-controlled believers are to submit to one another, willingly serving others and being under them rather than dominating them and exalting themselves. Paul’s point is that the one in authority is to be submissive to the needs of those under him and those in submission are to be subject to the authority of the one over him. The principle is an attitude of mutual subjection, which is a mark of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It is simply a matter of fulfilling the golden rule: doing to others as we would have others do to us. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He taught them that the greatest is the person who uses his authority to build up people and not, like the Pharisees, to build up your own authority and make yourself important. Christians are to “esteem others better than himself” (Phil. 2:3). By nature, you want to promote yourself, but by the Holy Spirit you are enabled to submit yourself to others and promote others. We should earnestly desire to be filled with the Spirit, but only for the glory of God, not for our own glory. When we serve others, we are serving the Lord Jesus.

Challenge:

When Jesus finished washing the disciples‘ feet, He said to them “… you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Jesus led His disciples by example. He never asks us to do anything that He was not willing to do Himself. How have you been serving others by ministering to their specific need? When was the last time you put someone else’s need before your own? When you do something nice for someone else, you receive the assurance that you are acting godly and doing what God’s Word instructs all believers to be doing. We live in a world that goes through their day never really considering the needs or desires of others. Most people are more concerned for their own well-being and never consider assisting anyone else. Your challenge for this week is to look for those opportunities to serve those around you by meeting their needs. Could you help a friend get ahead on a project they are working on? Lend them a hand. Watch someone’s children for the evening, while they take a night out to be alone together. Do you have a gift card to a restaurant that you have not used? Consider giving it to your co-worker, a cashier or even a total stranger. Whoever you serve in any of these ways will be so appreciative and you will be blessed by seeing their grateful heart. God bless you.