Philippians 2:9-11 Humility & Obedience, the route to Glory

Philippians 2:9-11

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Background

Christ’s humility and obedience to God resulted in His exaltation as Lord of the universe. Christ’s exaltation teaches us that humility and obedience is the route to glory. God exalts one whom He can trust to do all that He commands. If believers would follow the example of Christ, we too will be exalted and receive the glory and honor that Christ received.

Observation

Therefore God has highly exalted him…

God’s response to Christ’s humility and obedience is exaltation to the highest rank in the universe. Christ’s attitude of humility where He gave up His immortal attributes for the mortal nature of man, and His act of obedience where He went to the cross despite His struggles to fully comprehend cause the Father to exalt Him. Therefore, by exalting and giving Him unparalleled honor and universal authority, God gave Christ approval for His humility and obedience. While the resurrection relates to the vindication of Christ’s Sonship and God’s acceptance of His sin sacrifice, Christ’s exaltation proclaims His Lordship and authority over creation forever.

To what in particular, is the Father responding to when He exalted Christ?

• Jesus’ calling as Lord: God exalted Jesus in honor of His calling as Lord of all creation. Concerning Jesus, the psalmist says, “For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” Psalm 97:6.
• Jesus’ perfect obedience in accomplishing His calling: All who humble themselves and obey God wholehearted shall be exalted. Jesus says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12.
• The restoration of creation to righteous rule under the Son of God.

… and bestowed on him the name that is above every name

A name is used not just to distinguish one person from another, but is also used as a means to reveal the inner being, the true nature of the individual. God gave Jesus the name “Lord”. And in this name, Jesus has a supreme rank that gives Him the power to exercise universal lordship.

So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As God bestowed upon Jesus the name that represents universal lordship, all creation shall respond with adoration and confession to Jesus as Lord. This is described by the words “every knee should bow” and “every tongue confess”. The bending of the knee is an expression denoting great reverence and submission. Together with the confession of every tongue denotes universal homage: in heaven and on earth and under the earth to the Lordship of Christ.

Even as God has appointed Christ as Lord over all creation, the bowing of every knee will only come in the final day when all stand before God’s judgment seat (Romans 14:10-11). “Every knee” includes the good and the evil of which not all will gladly acknowledge Jesus’ Lordship. While the good voluntarily praises God out of reverence and gratitude, the evil ones come to acknowledge Christ’s Lordship because they could not resist His authority (see Isaiah 45:23-24).

Truth

1. Understanding God’s ordination upon us and His promises alone will not cause us to obtain our glory as sons of God. We must take hold of God’s ordination by faith and by perseverance. God’s ordination denotes His plans to exalt us to a position of glory with Christ. Paul says, “God raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:6. However, if we do not agree with His plans and to journey on the road of our calling, we will not obtain that glorious inheritance that God has ordained for us. Therefore, we must take concrete steps to put on the virtues of Christ and to obey His instructions daily. In due time, we shall reap the fruit of our labors if we do not give up (see Galatians 6:9). God exalted Jesus to the position that God has ordained for Him because He persevered and accomplished His calling.
2. Before we can exercise authority, we must learn to submit under authority. Authority is delegated through the line of submission. A true test of submission involves obedience to instructions even though he disagrees. What we think is not important but what God thinks, but we will begin to align our thinking to God’s divine wisdom when we obey. Hence, through the daily reading of the word, we learn to hear God’s voice clearly and to obey Him.
3. My acknowledgment of Christ as Lord is a matter solely between me and God. The bad behavior of some so-called Christians cannot be taken into account to exonerate me from my rebellion against God. Ultimately, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord whether willingly or under compulsion, God has appointed Christ as Lord of the universe.

Application

1. For each day, ask God to show us two things that He wants accomplished. By simply knowing what God wants us to do for each day and be diligent in fulfilling it, we are taking concrete steps towards accomplishing our calling and receiving our glory as Jesus received His.
2. Consider the areas in your life that is yet submitted under God’s rule. What is stopping you from obeying God? Ask God if those fears are valid. The earlier we submit ourselves to Him, the more impactful and successful our lives will be.
3. Do you find it difficult to submit under someone who is self serving and unjust? What does the bible say concerning submission to authority?

Dear Lord, teach me to submit to you as Jesus did. Fill me with the characteristics of your Spirit in love, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, longsuffering, gentleness and self-control. Help me to submit to earthly authorities and develop my ability to lead by example in my family, workplace and church. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.