Philippians 2:11
“and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
This prediction will come true. Even though in this life it will not. There are plenty who don’t acknowledge Him. There are plenty more who don’t believe in Him.
God has given enough information to believe in a creator. Romans 1:19,20 says, “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” This brilliance of creation is undeniable. The more science learns the more their scientists admit that there must have been a creator. Design is obvious.
Verse 21 of the same chapter in Romans explains more, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.” Because they chose not to honor God, He allows their thinking to be off. I Thessalonians says that “they will believe a lie”.
What’s odd about this is that this is often happening to those that have the highest iq among us. I Corinthians 1:20 says, “Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world?” Their arrogance for that which they have been granted is their demise. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 says this abandonment has happened because “they chose not the love of the truth”.
This arrogance reminds me of NPR or the BBC. They are quite smart. There is a false comfort that comes by hearing them. We think, “Surely these brilliant ones must be right”. I understand their appeal. But if they don’t choose Christ, then even these are deceived and their thinking is off.
Even these will bow and give glory to God. They will be ashamed that they, the smarted, were fooled. Unfortunately this will be in the next life. Most of these would mock christians and their message in this life. They will do it willingly in the next life. They will be in such awe and fear. They ancient Israelites has a similar reaction in Exodus 20:18,19, ‘And all the people were watching and hearing the thunder and the lightning flashes, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it all, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but do not have God speak to us, or we will die!”’
Believers kneel before Him in this life. We fear and respect Him. But we learn of Him as Father. we learn of His loving nature. While we still respect Him, we learn to draw near to Him as He has drawn near to us. His love has warmed us. We will be amazed to see Him in His fulness.
Lord, thank You for allowing us to be forgiven and to draw near You. We are so blessed to be in Your family. Thank You for allowing us to kneel and acknowledge in this life.