When we come to a relationship with Jesus Christ, our existing relationships becomes new because of Him.
V21: Christian submission is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Paul mentioned that submission in 3 areas:
1. Wives and husbands;
2. children and father;
3. slaves and masters.
To put this verse in context, i.e. v 15-21 there is no period (full stop) after the phrase, " filled with the spirit." Instead a participle follows, rendering the "filling of the holy spirit" and "being submissive" as one i.e. the latter i.e. of "being subject (or submitting) to another out of reverence for Christ" following from the former.
We are to "submit to one another" as a fish would adapt to water. But is this true today? Illustration of his re-dedication to God: He had a new love for the word, new fervency to pray. All these are evidences of a Spirit-filled life. Yet he noticed that he continued to struggle with submission. It doesn't get easier with time also. Is there something more fundamental that we need to deal with? The verse tells us we are to submit to one another our of 'reverence for Christ'. Our new submission is possible because it is rooted in our identity in Christ. In Lk 9:23-24, Jesus' invitation to follow him is a call to submission, to deny ourselves daily so that Christ will reside in us. We are called to practise submission on a daily basis.
Many are afraid to submit ourselves to another for fear of losing our identity, having to give up our personal rights etc. But when we practise true godly submission, we are going to receive the new me, the new identity in Christ. Power is the rule of the day in our world but Christ denied himself and gives us a new power to live. We are able to do so because for once in our lives, through Christ we know that we are of infinite worth. We now have a new identity to relate to others. Our surroundings continue to be filled with unreasonable bosses etc. they have not changed. But now desiring to deny ourselves daily, we are no longer the same. We can respond differently now that we know we are infinitely loved by Christ.
This is how it can be practiced: v 22 submit yourselves... To your own husband... Added in by the modern translators. Wives to your own husband as you to Christ:
1. Submission and love of husbands and wives
2. obedience of children and nurture by parents
3. Obedience of slaves and forbearance of masters.
Rather than emphasizing on the women, the slaves and the children, the focus is on man (Emphasis of man to be submit is mentioned 3 times). Focus on man:
- love your wife as your own body: 5 languages of love: gifts, words of affirmation, quality time, touch and acts of service. The way you feel most loved is typically the way your express your love. But it may not meet the need of your spouse. Figure out your spouse's love language.
Illustration: 
A talented and creative artist, an enthusiastic radio-show host; a happy mother and wife — no one would doubt the preciousness of Muriel McQuilkin's life — until her decline into the darkness of Alzheimer's disease.
Muriel spent the last decade of her life battling Alzheimer's, while her husband, Robertson, battled critics of his decision to stay home with her. Robertson's decision became controversial when he resigned as president of Columbia Bible College to care for Muriel full time. With his 22-year career at a peak, many urged him to put Muriel in a nursing home and continue with "God's work."
God's work, Robertson concluded, was taking care of his wife. "There are others who can lead the Bible college," he said, "but I am the only one who can care for Muriel." He didn't debate the ethical value of her life. The McQuilkins' story is about abiding love. "I wrote a book on ethics; I even researched euthanasia," Robertson said. "I know the issues. I am keeping a promise: 'til death do us part. I made my decision because I love her. I thought, Here's my lover; what can I do to make her life easier?" "When will you put her in a home?" "When someone else can take better care of her than I can."
To the oft-asked question, "When will you put her in a home?" Robertson always answered, "When someone else can take better care of her than I can." That never happened. Robertson kept his promise right up until Muriel's death in September 2003, feeding her, bathing her, loving her even when she could only respond with grunts and groans. "Love takes the sting out of duty," he says.
All of us who peek into the McQuilkins' story receive lessons in love. Robertson painted the portrait of Christian marriage as that of Christ and the church. He loves His bride even when she doesn't show love in return.
"Of course, love is designed to be reciprocated," Robertson says, "but true love is not about how lovable the object is but rather the heart of the one loving." Robertson notes that the decision to stay home with an ailing loved one is not for everyone. "My story doesn't always help people struggling with this issue," he says. Some people may not be old enough to retire from their jobs; some might not be physically strong enough to lift a sick person; some might not be emotionally strong enough to handle it. "I was fortunate to be in a position that I could do what I did," he says.
In Muriel's case, perhaps God used her most profoundly in her mental darkness. Their story has been published many times and has spurred countless marriages to deeper commitment. One afternoon Robertson received a foreign magazine with their story in another language. "See there, honey, you're preaching all over the world!" he told Muriel.
Since Muriel's death, Robertson speaks at churches, conferences and universities on the topic of love and marriage, most often sharing his lecture "Six Things Muriel Taught Me About Love." Through it all, their journey of love lives on and encourages many.
A talented and creative artist, an enthusiastic radio-show host; a happy mother and wife — no one would doubt the preciousness of Muriel McQuilkin's life — until her decline into the darkness of Alzheimer's disease.Muriel spent the last decade of her life battling Alzheimer's, while her husband, Robertson, battled critics of his decision to stay home with her. Robertson's decision became controversial when he resigned as president of Columbia Bible College to care for Muriel full time. With his 22-year career at a peak, many urged him to put Muriel in a nursing home and continue with "God's work."
Many urged him to put Muriel in a nursing home and continue with "God's work."
To the oft-asked question, "When will you put her in a home?" Robertson always answered, "When someone else can take better care of her than I can." That never happened. Robertson kept his promise right up until Muriel's death in September 2003, feeding her, bathing her, loving her even when she could only respond with grunts and groans. "Love takes the sting out of duty," he says.
All of us who peek into the McQuilkins' story receive lessons in love. Robertson painted the portrait of Christian marriage as that of Christ and the church. He loves His bride even when she doesn't show love in return.
"Of course, love is designed to be reciprocated," Robertson says, "but true love is not about how lovable the object is but rather the heart of the one loving." Robertson notes that the decision to stay home with an ailing loved one is not for everyone. "My story doesn't always help people struggling with this issue," he says. Some people may not be old enough to retire from their jobs; some might not be physically strong enough to lift a sick person; some might not be emotionally strong enough to handle it. "I was fortunate to be in a position that I could do what I did," he says.
In Muriel's case, perhaps God used her most profoundly in her mental darkness. Their story has been published many times and has spurred countless marriages to deeper commitment. One afternoon Robertson received a foreign magazine with their story in another language. "See there, honey, you're preaching all over the world!" he told Muriel.
Since Muriel's death, Robertson speaks at churches, conferences and universities on the topic of love and marriage, most often sharing his lecture "Six Things Muriel Taught Me About Love." Through it all, their journey of love lives on and encourages many.
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