“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.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
When I read this passage a question popped into my head, “Why did He only ask that every knee should bow and all acknowledge that Jesus is Lord?” God could have demanded much more than humbling and confession, particularly, considering that Yeshua was exalted to the highest place and His name raised above every name. God is not a tyrant; He does not consume His creation out of selfish motives, but gives love unmerited, unconditionally and graciously. The exaltation of Yeshua was in conformity and consequence of Yeshua’s humbling Himself as a man and accepting death on a cross for our transgressions and redemption. There is nothing that we could give or do for God, other than our humility and acknowledgment. We have nothing, no value, talent, skill or ability other than that which God has bestowed and in Heaven we can do nothing more than what God has destined will happen.
What is the right response to God’s love and grace? I believe the answer is the same as that given by Yeshua to the disciples who asked, “Increase our faith!” A tiny amount of faith can move mountains and when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (Luke 17: 5-10) Just as we can never repay our parents for their loving care, nurturing, sacrificial service and everything they did in raising us. Hopefully, we give them honor, respect, obedience and care for them in their old age, but that is our duty, only.
I believe God has so much more planned for us in Heaven that we could not stand to hear it now. He told the disciples, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 16:12-15) God gives us everything we need and He even allows us to see His plans and purposes and join Him therein.
Direction in Truth 