Every Knee Shall Bow

With the Supreme Court decision last week and the remarks made by our Commander in Chief in support of it, many Christians are recognizing that our country’s leadership has sunk to a new low, and put a whole nation at odds with God Almighty. It’s hard to believe that 6 people can wield that much power in a supposedly free republic. As citizens of this nation and Christians, what kind of position does that put us in in the eyes of God? We do live here, we work here, we enjoy the prosperity of this land, and as American citizens, we are subject to the laws of the land, unless they conflict with the higher laws of God.

Heb. 11 presents the great examples of faith of those who have preceded us, and who serve as an example to us of how to live in faith on this earth. vs. 1 defines what faith is … vs. 6 tells us how essential it is for us to have and exercise this gift of faith … and then vs. 8 begins to cite the example of a man who is called, “the father of all them that believe” in Romans 4:11

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Heb. 11:8-10)

We, too, are called out of this world to live by a set of laws and standards given to us by God which set us apart from society as His own children, and like Abraham we have no idea where that journey will take us. Ours is a spiritual ‘coming out’

Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. (2 Cor. 6:17)

Now back to Hebrews 11.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Heb. 11:13)

The Greek word for ‘strangers’ here is xenos.  It literally means “aliens,” and I must be one, because my wife and I were in the garage working this week, and she had the Glenn Beck show on the radio, and he was playing clips from various supporters of the Supreme court ruling that so exasperated me I jokingly yelled, “HUMANS!”

For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb. 11:14-16)

To ‘declare plainly’ means to exhibit, disclose, appear, or declare. It’s fashionable to ‘come out of the closet’ these days. Well, this is my kind of “coming out.” We’re seeking a new deal … a country that Strong’s calls a “Father-land.” I really like that — we are declaring our desire to live in the Father’s land under the rule and reign of His Son, Jesus Christ.

When we declare to God our desire for His Kingdom, He takes pride in us, and prepares a place for us. That provides us with an assurance that no Supreme Court ruling can dampen, no matter how ungodly it might be. And we can rest assured that our Father and His Son will continue doing this as we are muddling through the frustration of exposure to this agonizing anti-Christ agenda that is now taking over our nation, and the world in which we live.

But what will become of those who are driving this insanity down our throats? Peter asks that question in his first epistle, and reminds us that it’s time now for us to make our declarations to God.

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (1 Pet. 4:17-19)

A day of judgement is coming for the ungodly and the sinner. Yet the scriptures also indicate that many of those who now oppose God will come around, and we should hope and pray that they do.

Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, ‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, and all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him. (Isa. 45:22-24)

And one day the proponents of the abominations that took place in this country this week will also be ashamed.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Phil. 2:5-11)

Are we working toward being like our Lord? Toward greater respect and admiration and worship of the King of the coming kingdom? Bowing the knee … declaring openly our desire for His rule and His Kingdom?

For to this end Christ died and rose] and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Rom. 14:9-1)

There is a judgment coming for ALL of us — we can’t just sit back judging others and thinking that we’re alright. We have to work on our own relationship with God.

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up—and it shall be brought low—upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan; upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up; upon every high tower, and upon every fortified wall; upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all the beautiful sloops. The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day,(Isa. 2:11-17)

This tells us what will happen to pride filled men and women who live in open defiance of God’s Holy laws. When the transition to the Kingdom of God begins and the nation that we really belong to comes to this world, there won’t be anyone left who can stand up to God and re-define what He has already defined.

As each of these aberrations comes upon our country, it should serve as a real-time wake-up call to each one of us, and our declaration of intent should be made clear to the Godhead that we truly desire a new homeland in the Kingdom of God where Every Knee Shall Bow.

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