Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. (Hebrews 12:09-10, NKJV).
Where submission is a voluntary act between equals, subjection is a rational acknowledgment of a superior authority. In both instances, respect is the key component.
Don't get me wrong. Human beings are entirely capable of being disrespectful and irrational. In fact, that kind of rebellion is inherently what we pursue as fallen creatures. But even the most rabid rebel, when faced with a clearly superior force, will submit.
The argument in this verse is from lesser to greater, following the formula "if B is fact, then A, which is a much more intensive form of B, must be an even more significant fact." To agree with the first premise is to admit to the inevitability of the second.
Thus, if corrective human fathers are paid respect, then a holy and perfect Heavenly Father must also be worthy of respect. And in this context, respect bespeaks obedience.
A couple of additional points bear discussion.
Loving Christian fathers are tasked by their Creator with the responsibility of correcting their children's natural tendency toward sin and rebellion. This correction may take many forms, but the end result is always the same: to provide guidance toward God and away from the sinfulness of the world.
The most effective guidance is, of course, leading by example. "Do what I say AND what I do", because godliness is benchmarked when a man's good words match his good deeds. That is the only human form of correction worthy of respect. And even that is subject to the vagaries of the human father's inherent sinfulness, and the eventual growth into adulthood of his children, and/or the father's eventual demise (which is what few days refers to).
In stark contrast, since God is by definition good, and is always superior. His correction is, like He Himself, everlastingly perfect, with the ultimate goal of making us holy and conforming us into the image of His beloved Son.
This is all for our profit because becoming partakers of His holiness - becoming progressively more godly - is the best possible outcome of our existence. The only outcome that escapes the condemnation we otherwise deserve.
And here's the rub in all that - our view of God. Or more precisely, the world's uninformed and willfully ignorant view of God as a tyrannical cosmic killjoy. In reality, it is the world system that is degrading, violent, oppressive, unjust, irrational, selfish, and deadly.
Increasingly in this modern Information Age, ranting and reviling against God and His character is reaching epidemic proportions. The calling of evil good and good evil is the clarion cry of modern enlightenment.
It is an epic struggle to fight against this pervasive tide. Disparagement and despicable mockery of holiness and morality is everywhere.
The only sure-fire remedy is to readily be in subjection to the Father. This means to put off the deceit of the world's so-called wisdom, and to know and live by the wisdom of God.
In turn, this requires investment of time in studying His word (the knowing part), and cultivating trust in His sovereign authority over all the details of your individual life (the living by part).
Ultimately, we are God's subjects, whether we acknowledge that fact or not. For now, He allows the illusion of independence and gives us the choice to submit to His rightful authority by our choice through faith.
But there comes a time in each person's existence, when he breathes his last, when God's authority is unequivocally revealed, and his knee will bow and his tongue confess that God is Lord.
Be in subjection now, as a son or daughter to a loving Father. Or foolishly wait for the subjection that will come as a criminal to a Judge.
Now, through faith, mercy and clemency will be the result. But then, when choice is no longer possible, the result is a sentence of eternal destruction.
