Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
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"Subdue" means "to conquer and bring into subjection". A subdued believer is one whose old nature has been fully conquered by Christ and who now stands in submission to "that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." One can know God in the deep, spiritual serenity of His service only when he is subdued in his heart, in his soul, in his mind, and in all his strength-subdued through and through so perfectly that he is pliable to all the purposes and plans of God. He must be so subdued that bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication are gone. Child of God, you must be subdued, not merely in your opinion or that of your friends and associates, but subdued so thoroughly that God can look you through and through and know that you are subdued. God is going to conquer and bring into subjection everyone who desires to be perfect.
Before God can use us in conquering others, the holy Spirit must completely penetrate us with a divine conquest. How gentle is our Father, as He begins to subdue us! If we submit promptly to His discipline, the job will be easily finished; on the other hand, if we hold back and resist His will, we will be beaten with many stripes, placed between the millstones, and ground to powder so that we can be molded without any resistance to His marvelous plan of salvation. The greatest hindrance to God's plan for the saints now is that His children are not yet entirely subdued by the power of His holy Spirit.
When one is subdued, he ceases to be a busybody in other men's matters, or an idler, wandering from house to house. A subdued person bridles his tongue and walks uprightly before his Maker, looking to Jesus, who will teach him to labor and to do God's will promptly and uncomplainingly, rejoicing in having a place in the mighty kingdom of God. Hallelujah! It is wonderful to be absolutely conquered by the omnipotent hand of God, having our all on the altar in obedience, working with our heavenly Father without stumbling or grumbling over the weaknesses of God's disobedient children. Indeed, every conquered saint is easily entreated, ready to talk in a meek spirit with his fellow servants concerning the way of truth.
There comes a gentleness into the heart of every subdued believer that even the world is forced to recognize. May God help us to become subdued in every way, in everything. Subdued by the power of the holy Ghost. Subdued, so that He can use us in subduing others who are waiting for the opportunity to surrender unconditionally to the perfect will of God.