To Bow or Not To Bow?

 

“…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth…”

—Philippians 2:10

Just when I think I’ve heard everything, or read everything, I am astonished anew at the folly of some writers on the Internet. I realize that the bloggers that may seem crazy to me represent but a microcosm of individuals who would likely read my blog and consider me a nutcase, as well.

Fortunately, I have reached an age where I really don’t care very much what people I don’t know think about me. And, I am increasingly unconcerned about what anyone thinks about me. Why? Because, looking back over my life—something I’ve done a lot of lately, perhaps too much—I have concluded that people either seem to love me or despise me—no middle ground. Sadly, there are far more who despise me than love me. Frankly, I’m used to that. I comfort myself by insisting to myself that I’m really a kind and compassionate person who the people who despise me largely misunderstand.

Nevertheless, as crazy as I may appear to most, I am at least consistently crazy. But, back to my latest “surprise” discovery on the Internet.

In researching how I might approach today’s passage of Scripture, I searched for the term “I will not bow my knee.” I did so believing that this phrase was a quote I had heard from one of the many plays I’ve seen or read. While I did not find such a reference within a play, I did stumble across a blog post entitled “This Knee Won’t Bow.”

I do not intend to give any detailed publicity, and especially no honor, to what is clearly an utterly ridiculous misinterpretation of Scripture with regard to the source of the name for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The author thinks that Joseph and Mary came up with the name “Jesus” on their own. This, of course, completely ignores the fact recorded in Scripture that Joseph was told what to name the Son of God by the angel who visited him.

The blogger also completely misunderstands the roll that various heroes of the faith played in the conquering of the land that God gave to His chosen people, Israel. Much of this misunderstanding comes from the common belief that all humans are “God’s children.” I have discussed this very subject many times over the years on this blog. While God indeed did create all humans and, thus, all humans bear the stamp of His image—what theologians call the “Imago Dei”—not all humans are children of God. Read John 1:12 and you will likely understand that only those who believe on God’s Son, Jesus, can be called the children of God.

That is not to say that God doesn’t care for all humans. 2 Peter 3:9 clearly indicates that God wishes all to come to Him. And yet, the Scripture also makes clear in Romans 8:29-30 that before the foundation of the earth God has chosen those that He will claim as His own. If you are reading this and you respond positively to what I am writing, this is a pretty good indication that you are one whom God has chosen to belong to Himself. It doesn’t matter what church you attend, nor what denomination of which you may be a part. That gentle, loving tug on your heart is the Holy Spirit sent by God to claim you as His own.

Okay. But, what about this knee bending business and why does it matter?

Scripture makes it clear that at the end of time on this earth, Jesus will return. The Apostle Paul sheds light on this signal event on in several of Paul’s letters. For example, Paul records these words, speaking of Jesus, in Philippians 2:9-11:

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So, the blogger I discovered by accident during my Internet search may actually believe that he won’t bow his knee to Jesus. But, let me assure you and him that at the return of Jesus to this earth, no one will remain standing. All people on earth will fall to their knees. They will have no control over their minds and bodies.

In the big picture of things, does this really matter? It matters only to the extent that in our efforts to faithfully represent the Lord Jesus Christ to a needy and dying world, we will likely encounter many individuals who not only don’t believe, but are hostile to the Good News we long to share. This should not surprise us at all.

And, how should we respond? We should extend every possible mercy, grace, and love that we can to such individuals. We are the living representatives of God’s love in this world. We need to think and act in love, as empowered to do so by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

In reading the many people who commented on the above mentioned blogger’s post, I was saddened to see many Christians who responded with a harshness that clearly did not display God’s love. While I understand how frustrating the blog post may seem to those of us who believe, by responding in harshness we reinforce all the negative feelings this blogger has toward Christians.

I have Facebook friends who openly declare they do not believe. I am saddened at what they are missing. But, I feel only the deepest love and boundless compassion for them. I would not want to speak harshly to them. I am sure that if they even read posts like this one—or even the posts I occasionally make on certain political matters, such as so-called “climate change”—they may even feel anger toward me. Nevertheless, I am instructed by God’s Word to respond in gentleness, kindness, and God-breathed love. And, dear ones, that is very hard for me to do. Remember, I am an angry old man.

As we go out into the world this day, let us greet those who cross our pathway with a smile on our face and love in our hearts—love that God has placed there because He has redeemed us with the very precious blood of His one and only Son, Jesus. You know. The Jesus before whom at the end of the age every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord of all.

 

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