Oct 29, 2008

Committed or Submitted

I was reading a friend's blog and he brought up a discussion on being committed to Christ vs being submitted to Christ. He asked if one could be committed to Christ without being submitted to Him. Well this got me thinking and I decided to see what the definitions of these words actually were.

Most of the definitions for "commit" show that we generally commit (to) someTHING; an action, idea, thought, position, or belief. Even #1 & #5 below refer to entrusting but with no responsibility from the one who is doing the entrusting.

Commit:
1. to give in trust or charge; consign.
2. to consign for preservation: to commit ideas to writing; to commit a poem to memory.
3. to pledge (oneself) to a position on an issue or question; express (one's intention, feeling, etc.): Asked if he was a candidate, he refused to commit himself.
4. to bind or obligate, as by pledge or assurance; pledge: to commit oneself to a promise; to be committed to a course of action.
5. to entrust, esp. for safekeeping; commend: to commit one's soul to God.
6. to do; perform; perpetrate: to commit murder; to commit an error.
7. to consign to custody: to commit a delinquent to a reformatory.
8. to place in a mental institution or hospital by or as if by legal authority: He was committed on the certificate of two psychiatrists.
9. to deliver for treatment, disposal, etc.; relegate: to commit a manuscript to the flames.
10. to send into a battle: The commander has committed all his troops to the front lines.
11. Parliamentary Procedure. to refer (a bill or the like) to a committee for consideration. –verb (used without object)
12. to pledge or engage oneself: an athlete who commits to the highest standards.

The definitions for "submit" show that we submit to someONE. We yield to the authority, power, treatment, influence, or approval of another.

Submit:
1. to give over or yield to the power or authority of another (often used reflexively).
2. to subject to some kind of treatment or influence.
3. to present for the approval, consideration, or decision of another or others: to submit a plan; to submit an application.
4. to state or urge with deference; suggest or propose (usually fol. by a clause): I submit that full proof should be required. –verb (used without object)
5. to yield oneself to the power or authority of another: to submit to a conqueror.
6. to allow oneself to be subjected to some kind of treatment: to submit to chemotherapy.
7. to defer to another's judgment, opinion, decision, etc.: I submit to your superior judgment.

I think that often we have a misconception of the definitions and are committed to the things of Christ without being submitted to His authority over our lives. I'm working on being more fully submitted. What about you? Are you more committed than submitted?


Edie

12 comments:

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Edie..
This is a very good post to ponder over and really rethink where we are at in a relationship with Christ.

I can easily commit to something or someone, but on my own strength I can easily compromise on that comittment because I have control over it.

Where as If I submit I am no longer in control of it, God is. I am saying to the Lord I submit my life into your hands, I give myself completely over to you. have your way in my life, I can't do it on my own strength.


To submit means to obey, obedience to God's word, submit self.

That is why it is so important to submit ourselves and our day, and all we face to the Lord
because with him we can make it through knowing he is in control.

Thank you Edie for this post, it made me look at walk with the Lord and realized with submitting to him fully I would not be where I am today as a woman of God.

Luv ya Lorie

Joyfulsister said...

LOL sorry Edie I meant to say on the last paragraph..

It made me look at my walk with the Lord, and made me realize that if I had not fully submitted to him, I would not be where I am today as a woman of God.

I'm on a cold medication and I have delayed typing lol..

Dorothy Champagne said...

Wonderful thoughts on the difference between committing and submitting. Such an issue in our society today. People say they know God and believe His Word, yet few live their life under His authority. Thanks for the reminder to give every day to Him.

Sharon said...

This is realllly good. I know I use to be a committer, but it's takin some time but I am learning, and have learned to hand it all over to God and submitt. We must learn to Let Go~~~Let God.

What a wonderful post and I too will ponder over this today, maybe I will find someone to ask the same question too... you know share the Gospel, spread the truth!

Have a wonderful day!! Be Blessed my friend
Huggss
Sharon :)

Mark said...

Edie,

Thanks for looking it up...I don't know why I didn't think of that. :)

Sue J. said...

I think we need to be doing both things.

Commit--"To send" + "Together"
Submit--"To send" + "Under"

We need to be committed to walking together with God in that we are walking together in His word, in His purpose and will, in His righteousness. We commit to each other in love, as friends with Christ (see today's Chatty Kelly blog) going out into the world, together, serving, learning, growing, planting, reaping, etc.

We need to be submitted to God in our commitment. (How about that?) If we do not honor God for who He is, then we put ourselves as the head and taint the Word to which we have said we are committed.

God has sent us all on a mission ("to send" + "away") that we might be disciples in all nations--committed and submitted to Him.

My favorite kind of exploratory blog! And, for some more on "giving it all to God," see my other blog (for MOPS moms) at www.in-betweentime.blogspot.com.

My ADHD Me said...

I am a very committed person. When something is important to me or if I feel strongly about something, I completely commit my self to it.

Submitting-I never really thought about it but there really is a big difference. It is time for me to commit to submitting.

Bovee Family said...

Hi!
Super, great post here...and blog. I took one of your scriptures to add to my blog. Thanks! Would you come visit me? I have a great post on Celebrating Motherhood that if you find anything you could use to bless a sister, please feel free to take. Also, your posts are so intune with obedience to the Father, you may want to check out a couple of blogs that I stay connected with that do look more at committing to God than the typical Christian would do. Check them out and let me know what you think...Ezekial 3 and (Truly) Biblical Perspective.
Be blessed,
Christi

Runner Mom said...

Hey, Edie!
I really liked the comment from Sue J. I too need to be more submissive to my God, but yet, be committed to spending time in the Word and in prayer to strengthen my relationship.

Great post!!
Hugs,
Susan

Kelly said...

Committed - yes. Submitting - "Your honor, I'd like to take my 5the amendment right not to answer on the grounds that I may increminate myself."

My authority figures in life have failed me to the extend that I equate submission with emotional pain. I'm like the 4 yr old stomping and saying "I can do it myself" or "your not the boss of me."

Working on it.

B His Girl said...

Edie,

There is a huge difference between the two. I have waved the white flag....I surrender! I know His plan is better than anything I could dream up. B

Debra said...

Edie,
I knew I would be urged on and made to think about things if I came here.

I need to pray about this.
Love, Debra