Spirit-filled living is interesting for its non-spectacular restraint. Unfortunately in some circles the work of the Holy Spirit is assumed to be demonstrated in eccentric, unbridled, wild manifestations. Things like speaking in tongues and fantastic healings are considered to be the new normal for Christians enlivened by the Spirit. However, Paul presents a different picture.

In verses 18-19, we saw Spirit-filled living was contrasted with being under the control of alcohol. It is manifested in a song-filled life. In verse 20, the Spirit-filled life is experienced as a grateful life. Gratitude is a profound core demonstration of a heart given over to the control of God. Why is that?  Because there is submission to God in all that He either brings or allows in our lives. He is at work and we willingly accept everything as guided by His gracious hand. Romans 8:28 is the mantra of their heart, ^“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Paul built on this, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:18).

When we consider that the first step away from God in the spiral down in sin is lack of gratefulness along with dishonoring God (Rom 1:21), it makes sense that the return to the Lordship of God finds a certain wholeness in gratitude. Spirit-filled gratitude exudes from the inner man. And this can only be a reality when we live not for the free expression of ourselves through the activities and attitudes of the old nature, but through a commitment to “the Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 20). When He is on the throne of our lives, then our outlook on even the worst of circumstances is transformed. Rather than complaining, bitterness and self-assertion (all the things that destroy unity among God’s people), the Spirit-filled Christian sees the negative things as opportunities for God’s glory.

So with this kind of attitude, Paul’s admonition in verse 21 comes much more easily, “be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” Because Christ is truly at the center of our universe as spirit-filled Christians and we have placed ourselves under His loving and sovereign rule (the word for “subject” means “to take one’s place under someone else”), we can willingly submit to other Christians, when we are called to place ourselves under them, for the good of the unity of the body.