Ephesians 5:21

“subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ”

“Subjecting”: “As you stand in awe of Christ, submit to each other's rights” (Knox). “Sometimes. person who claims to be filled with the Spirit becomes aggressive, self-assertive and brash” (Stott p. 208). “Christians should not be self-assertive, each insisting on getting his or her own way (1 Peter 2:3)” (Bruce p. 382). Now we are really getting down to the nitty-gritty. Saying "Amen" or "Praise God" is one thing, but being influenced by the Holy Spirit, means that you are humble, gentle, patient, and you place the needs of your brethren, ahead of your own. We are submitting to our brethren when we take the first step towards clearing up. disagreement (Matthew 5:23), try to help them out of. sin (Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15), assist those who are trying to get something done (1 Corinthians 16:16). cooperate with the elders (1 Thessalonians 5:12), and make the effort to encourage another Christian (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

“In the fear of Christ”: “Out of reverence for Christ' (Knox). We are demonstrating "respect" for Christ when we place ourselves at the service of other Christians, for this is the type of life that Jesus Himself lived (Luke 19:10; Matthew 20:26). When we become "servants", we are in essence saying, “I place. high value on the type of life that Jesus lived.” Hence, if we refuse to "serve" and insist on our "rights" and our own way, it means that we view with contempt the example that Jesus set. ”The slaves have no right to set up. pecking order among themselves. All authority belongs to Christ, and He alone has the right to designate any position of leadership or command” (Boles p. 310). Caldwell rightly observes that Christians are willing to respond to another's desires or needs because, “Christians are not selfish, self-asserting, demanding independence from pride or arrogance, or insistent upon authoritative control of others” (p. 263). “Pride leads us to demand rigorously from others what we fancy they owe to us; humility, to give to others what Christ teaches that we owe to them” (P.P. Comm. p. 211).