Let us look at the meaning of Submission in the Holy Bible.
The Qur’an tells us, “Say (O Muslims), ‘We believe in God and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and to the offspring twelve sons of Jacob, and that which has been given to Moses and Isa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (muslimun).'” (Qur’an 2:136)
So, the idea of submission is not only in the Qur’an. We can find the concept of Submission in the Holy Bible. Let us take a look at the meaning of submission in the Holy Bible.
1- Submission as a total obedience
In the Tawrat and the Injil, submission means ‘keeping the commandments’, or ‘doing the will of God’.
“Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
“Submit therefore to God…” (James 4:7)
These verses clearly state that God requires the following:
- to fear Him
- to walk in all His ways
- to love Him
- to serve Him with heart and soul
- to keep His commandments
2- Submission as a total Love for God and His Word
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
In these verses we learn that to Love God with all the heart, soul, and might requires dedication every second of our lives. Submission requires reciting and teaching God’s Word in the house, in the road while walking, while lying down.
3- Submission as a total state of Peace – peace with the Creator, peace of mind, peace at heart, peace in society
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew5:9)
“How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments.” (Psalms 112:1 )
“How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.” (Psalms 128:1)
This verse speaks about ‘peacemakers’ who submit themselves to God, who as a result of their submission are called ‘children of God’, meaning the people of God, or people loved by God. God certainly loves the people who keep His commandments, submit themselves to His will, fear Him, and advocate peacemaking.
