Submission to the Will of God
T. Guthrie, D. D. Ephesians 5:17 Why be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. There is a memorable passage in the history of St. Francis that may throw light on this subject. The grand rule of the order which he founded was implicit submission to the superior. One day a monk proved refractory. He must be subdued. By order of St. Francis a grave was dug deep enough to hold a man; the monk was put into it, the brothers began to shovel in the earth, while their superior, standing by, looked on, stern as death. When the mould had reached the wretch's knees St. Francis bent down, and, fixing his eyes on him said, "Are you dead yet? Is your self-will dead? Do you yield?" There was no answer; down in that grave there seemed to stand a man with a will as iron as his own. The signal was given, and the burial went on. When at length he was buried up to the middle, to the neck, to the lips, St. Francis bent down once more to repeat the question, "Are you dead yet?" The monk lifted his eye to his superior, to see in the cold grey eyes that were fixed on him no spark of human feeling. Dead to pity and all the weaknesses of humanity, St. Francis stood ready to give the signal that should finish the burial. It was not needed; the iron bent; he was vanquished; the funeral was stopped; his will yielding to a stronger, the poor brother said, "I am dead." I would not be dead as these monks to any man. The mind and reason which I have got from God Almighty are to bend implicitly and blindly before no human authority. But the submission I refuse to man, Jesus, I give to Thee — not wrung from me by terror, but won by love; the result, not of fear, but of gratitude. (T. Guthrie, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. WEB: Therefore don't be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.