God desires our humility to be genuine and inward, not merely an outward performance. Submitting to Him requires proactive obedience, as He sets Himself against the proud but gives grace lavishly to the humble. When we exalt God and His will, we subjugate our own self-will, engaging in a constant battle against pride. Submitting to God means enlisting under His banner with active allegiance, ready to await His commands and do His will, standing firm against the devil. This submission is not passive but a decisive declaration of loyalty to Him, placing us in the conflict against Satan. Drawing near to God is essential, and He promises to draw near to us in return, enriching us with His presence as we obey His command to seek Him. True humility involves submitting patiently to God's will, confidently waiting for His deliverance, and seeking righteousness even in the face of suffering. God saves the humble, lifting them up in due time, and never forsakes those who willingly obey and submit to His pleasure and will. Humbling ourselves under His mighty hand, we cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.

In stark contrast to the world's rejection of authority and refusal to be told no, God is creating a Family of sons and daughters who will submit to Him and to each other, to serve Him, praise Him, and reign with Him in His Kingdom forever. Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ is a fundamental principle for those filled with the Holy Spirit, as it is impossible for the world, lacking the Spirit, to carry out such submission. This submission stands in opposition to the self-assertion and lack of control seen in those who are not guided by the Spirit, reflecting a spiritual contrast to worldly behavior. True Christians manifest the Spirit through worship, praise, and adoration of God, as well as in their fellowship and relationships with one another, demonstrating a duty to submit as a responsibility within God's church. This submission, akin to soldiers under authority in a regiment, involves willingly surrendering individual control to be part of a spiritual army, behaving voluntarily in an organized and orderly manner. Negatively, it means avoiding thoughtlessness, selfishness, self-centeredness, individualism, self-assertion, opinionated behavior, and dictatorial tendencies, which are rooted in self and contrary to the Spirit-filled life. Positively, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ involves having enlightened understanding through the Spirit, recognizing personal shortcomings and the truth about oneself, and ceasing to boast about personal achievements, as all gifts come from God. It means prioritizing the unity and good of the whole body of Christ over personal gain, fostering a readiness to listen, learn, suffer, and even endure injustice for the sake of the cause and the body. This submission is only possible for those filled with the Holy Spirit, producing its fruit and handling difficulties with love, patience, and willingness for the good of others. The motive for this submission is rooted in the fear of Christ, not merely as a good act in itself, but as a response to His teaching and example, showing gratitude to Him and a desire to glorify His name through our lives. It includes a fear of disappointing or grieving Him, reflecting a deep love and unity within God's Family, where Christ's reputation is in our hands as we live as lights in the world. This fear, grounded in love, motivates us to avoid failure before Him and to live in a way that honors His sacrifice and new life given to us. Ultimately, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ and of God is a call to follow Their will and example, standing firm on essential truths while approaching non-fundamental matters with humility and lowliness of mind. It is a commitment to hold and teach the truth in love, ensuring peaceful and loving relationships that glorify God's name in the church and in our homes, as encouraged by our merciful Father and Elder Brother Jesus Christ.

Submitting to God is a foundational principle for spiritual growth and freedom. Redemption frees us from slavery to unrighteousness, enabling us to choose to submit to God. This submission is not without cost, as it introduces a war with our indwelling human nature, yet it grants us the freedom to love God intimately. The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and being, encompassing all our proclivities and activities. Loving God above all drives the desire to turn and become childlike, a necessary step for entering the Kingdom of God. This love compels us to make choices that please Him, often requiring sacrifice of self to prioritize His will. Choosing to submit to Christ as our Lord means denying self, sacrificing personal desires, and conforming to His way of life. This involves dying to self-ego, self-glorification, self-exaltation, and self-gratification. Taking up the cross means doing what pleases Jesus Christ, regardless of others' actions or opinions, and continuing in daily obedience to His Word. Submission also requires not conforming to this world, instead seeking to honor and glorify God in all we do. By dedicating our conduct to Him, passing every decision through the bar of His judgment, we represent what He approves, motivated by a positive desire to bring praise to Him rather than fear. These steps—loving God intimately, denying self, refusing worldly conformity, and doing all for His glory—form a simple formula for making righteous judgments and continuing in His truth.