Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 (NIV)
Submission
Canada’s Oath of Citizenship must be taken in order to become a Canadian citizen. In it, new Canadians swear faithful and true allegiance to the Queen and her heirs and successors, to faithfully observe the laws of Canada, to recognize the Constitution and Aboriginal and treaty rights and fulfill their rights as a citizen of Canada. In a sense they are submitting to constitutional authority, which assures the ongoing stability of our nation.
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We have all read books or seen movies where there is a villain who demands, “submit or die.” The hero then has to come and save the day, freeing the victim from the clutches of the evildoer. It is understood that no one wants to have to submit their will to a malevolent dictator, forced to do his evil work. That’s how the kingdoms of the world work. Submission in the Kingdom of God is something altogether different. James 4:7 says this: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” God loves us. As our Creator He knows us well, and has a plan for our lives that fits with who He created us to be. So, when He calls us to submit to Him, we do so of our own free will, knowing that as we do, we will find ourselves in the sweet spot at the centre of His will for us. There is no better place to be for the follower of Jesus. There is another blessing. As we submit to our loving God, He empowers us to say no to the temptation that so often leads to sin, guilt and shame. Submit yourselves to God through Jesus Christ today.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley