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Horses are animals of great strength and beauty. If you have had a chance to watch a horse and rider at full gallop, you know it is an awesome and sometimes terrifying sight to behold. Only recently did I realize that some horses weigh as much as 2,000 pounds and can pull up to 9 tons.

I am sure you have seen or heard stories of horses that have been spooked by something. They rear up on their hind legs and kick, or they race away recklessly. It is extremely dangerous to be on the back of a horse in such a situation.

Think with me about warhorses that are found in the heat of battle. Imagine the yelling and the clashing of armies, all the sudden movements, even the animals being struck, yet they maintain themselves and aren’t spooked. Neither do they run from battle. Only horses that are prepared for battle can respond in this way. Because their great strength is directed by their master, they prove a great help.

The historical meaning of the word meekness is “strength under control.” The Greek word for meekness was often used to describe a wild animal that had been tamed. In many ways this meekness is precisely what we find in someone who is truly submissive. I fear that too often people link submission with weakness, which is entirely wrong. No one lies down and becomes a doormat when they submit. We don’t give up the strength and ability God gave us. Instead, we allow Him to channel all this strength and ability in His way instead of our own way.

Excerpt from Chapter 2 of Touching Godliness (ISBN 9781595891211) © 2008 by KP Yohannan, the president and founder of Gospel for Asia.

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So God has this problem to deal with. It began in eternity past, and it will continue through to the end of time: Nothing will remain in eternity that is not of the Spirit. All that is done from self-will and independence will be rejected. Study the life of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Gideon and David. In all these people we find that God made sure His purposes were accomplished only through His Spirit and not through man’s ability, reason or flesh.

My wife has said to me, “God must have talked to many people and asked them to do what you are now doing—people who are smarter, abler and more educated. But they didn’t follow the Lord’s direction. So He came to you, and you said yes.”

Why did God choose me? Scripture answers that question in 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 (NIV), “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him”  (emphasis mine).

Before Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate the fruit from the forbidden tree, they had no understanding of good and evil. This period is known as the dispensation of innocence. There was no right and wrong. All was God. And all that was done was in absolute dependence upon God. Whatever He said, that was it. They never had to reason or figure things out. Nothing in their heads was centered on themselves. They lived in absolute innocence!

Now why would God set that tree in their midst and say, “Don’t eat this”? To abuse them? No!

God wanted to demonstrate to the worlds out there, to the angels, Lucifer and all the demons, that submission, surrender, is the way by which He accomplishes His eternal purposes. And this principle could only be validated when Adam and Eve were given the freedom to choose between submission or rebellion.

Mankind, like the angels, was given the freedom to choose to obey and submit to God’s authority or to disobey and rebel. With this sacred principle, God gives us the choice to demonstrate to the seen and the unseen world that submission is the means through which His eternal purposes are accomplished.

Paul Billheimer in his classic book Destined for the Throne explains that the whole reason for creation was so God could find a bride for His Son. Our life on earth is thus the classroom where we are trained to reign with the Lord throughout eternity. Through our choice to submit, we are being prepared to rule with Him.

Excerpt from Chapter 1 of  Touching Godliness (ISBN 9781595891211) © 2008 by KP Yohannan, the president and founder of  Gospel for Asia.

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A shift seems to be taking place in the reflections of men and women on godliness and knowing God. There is a growing awareness that external things—materialism, superficial experiences, worldly success—are not what our spirits long for, nor will we ever be truly satisfied with them. Rather, our spirits hunger after spiritual realities that will not be quenched with mere “words” of correct doctrines and the “truth” without life.

The current Christianity, which for the most part is based on self, has lost its ability to influence society and be what God truly intended. Instead of living simple, devout, quiet and godly lives, like salt and light permeating society, the Church has too often turned to worldly, fleshly and carnal means to effect change.

Yet in the midst of this confusion and darkness, these brave souls are seeking for deeper healing through humility and godliness. They are discovering that an independent spirit and avoidance of pain and suffering are not the means to find that “life abundant” (see John 10:10). Their spirits thirst for the living God as a deer pants for the stream. And they will not be satisfied until they drink from the fountain of living water.

There is a glimpse of “another world” in their eyes. They have seen and heard things they can’t talk about. They are walking on earth, but they are not really here. They have touched the deep things of God and along with the psalmist testify, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25, NIV). There is a sense of quietness and contemplation about them. They are not moved by the opinions of others nor do they seek praise and honor from men.

These followers of the Lamb have a distinct mark about them: Submission. There is a deep sense of humility and lowliness that you find about them. At home, at work, in church, in society—they manifest a quiet and gentle spirit.

The message of this book is for anyone who will join the ranks of those who seek God above all else and live with their eyes fixed on eternity.

Excerpt from the Introduction of Touching Godliness (ISBN 9781595891211) © 2008 by KP Yohannan, the president and founder of Gospel for Asia.

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