For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

2:11   and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In our last post we discussed the free and willing “knee bowing” of all creation, suggesting that Paul may be including the motivation of all of creation bowing the knee, and not simply the act of bowing the knee.

Philippians 2:11 may provide additional considerations supporting this thinking. In this passage, the verb for confess halted me. A short time back, I reviewed a book called “Jesus Undefeated” by Keith Giles and he brought to my attention the Greek term for confess in this passage. I will not regurgitate my findings in this post (See Book Look – Jesus Undefeated – Passage 6 for discussion) other than that term used for confess in this verse includes the idea of joy. The term implies a joyful confession, even a celebration of confession.

This strikes at the heart of my original thinking regarding the eventual confession of those in punishment! This passage does not seem to allow for a begrudging reluctant confession, a confession of requirement and obligation. Not only does He deserve the confession of, and bowing to His identity, He shall receive this to the glory of God.

Yet the rebels confession, if from a thankful heart, would it not provide greater glory than a reluctant and forced confession?

Don’t get me wrong. I understand punishment will be dealt out, and judgment will be just for all. Although Philippians does not address the punishment aspect of those who are in rebellion against the Savior, many may think this teaching of worship after death removes all punishment. I am not suggesting that, but only that I don’t understand the passage describing any punishment, but addressing the eventual (after punishment?) submission and confession of His Person by all.

Is this difficult to consider?

Is the possibility of Jesus bringing together both those who followed and those who rebelled into one “group” distressing for you? Consider some in the early church, and their reluctance to accept those sinners, those dirty Gentiles, into the Body of Christ. I think they were continually surprised by the working of God in the Body of Christ!

As I consider the Word as I get older, I am becoming more and more convinced that God is bigger than I imagine, that His grace is much greater than I can grasp, and that maybe, just maybe, He will surprise us all!

No matter – It is up to God to perform His will, and we are to be thankful participants in this ride we call Christianity!

Thank Him for the adventure, for He is looking for those who will have thankful hearts in worship!

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Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.