Definition and Scope:
Practical submission in the Christian context refers to the act of yielding one's own will to the authority and guidance of God, as well as to the established structures within family, church, and society. It is an expression of humility and obedience, rooted in the understanding of God's sovereignty and the order He has instituted.

Biblical Foundation:
The concept of submission is woven throughout Scripture, beginning with the relationship between God and humanity. In James 4:7, believers are instructed, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This verse underscores the primary aspect of submission: aligning oneself under God's authority.

Submission to God:
Submission to God is foundational for the Christian life. It involves trusting in His wisdom and relinquishing personal control. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This trust and acknowledgment are acts of submission, recognizing God's ultimate authority and guidance.

Submission in the Family:
The family unit is a primary context for practicing submission. Ephesians 5:22-24 states, "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." This passage highlights the order within the family, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church. However, it is balanced by the call for husbands to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25).

Submission in the Church:
Within the church, submission is essential for unity and order. Hebrews 13:17 instructs, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who must give an account. Allow them to do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you." This submission to church leadership is part of maintaining harmony and spiritual growth within the body of Christ.

Submission in Society:
Christians are also called to submit to governing authorities as an expression of their submission to God. Romans 13:1-2 declares, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage emphasizes the divine origin of authority and the believer's responsibility to respect and obey it, as long as it does not contradict God's commands.

The Example of Christ:
Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of submission. Philippians 2:5-8 describes His humility and obedience: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Christ's submission to the Father's will, even unto death, serves as the model for all believers.

Practical Application:
Practical submission involves daily choices to prioritize God's will over personal desires. It requires a heart attitude of humility and a willingness to serve others. Colossians 3:23-24 encourages believers, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This perspective transforms submission from a burdensome duty into a joyful act of worship and service.