“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name“ (Philippians 2:9).

Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity and, in fact, is God. It’s not easy for us to wrap our human understanding around the fact that God loved us so much that He put aside His deity to become human in order to give us the one and only way to eternal life.

If you stop and really think about it, you’ll be in awe of what He did. He gave His life so that sinners such as you and me can live eternally. Unfortunately, many of us take that act of love for granted. Many who claim to be Christians fail to bow before Him, and live as if sin is no big deal. Wrong. Sin separates us from God. Reconciliation was important enough to God that He gave His life to pay the price for our redemption.

Can you think of anyone you might sacrifice your own life for? Maybe your child, or a husband may be willing to protect his wife with his life, but most people wouldn’t lay down their life for a stranger.

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die” (Romans 5:7).

Self-preservation is in our nature. Jesus Christ laid down His life so you and I can live. Most people won’t even set aside time to study Scripture, let alone help other people. We need to put our pride aside, bow our knees, humble our hearts, and confess Jesus as Lord.

Jesus is the example Christians are to follow. If anyone had something to be prideful about, it was Jesus. He was God incarnate. He walked on water, healed many who were sick, and fed thousands with only a small amount of bread and fish. Did He boast or brag? No.

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9).

God chose to walk among sinners because of His love for us. Even though He was tempted in the same way all people are tempted, He never sinned. Jesus Christ set aside the glory He had in Heaven and laid down His life for us. When we think of laying down our life for someone else, we usually think of an act of heroism. The example Jesus gave was that of daily choices, to set aside our own comfort in order to care for the needs of others who don’t deserve grace and mercy. When the time was right, He did shed His blood, but His example of walking daily in humbleness is a Christian’s guide.

Pride is a sin and keeps us from serving the Lord. Marriage is a model of Christ’s love. The husband is the head of the family, but he is to love his wife as Christ loved us. Jesus humbly set aside His exalted place in Heaven to give His life for His bride. A man needs to follow Christ’s example and be the leader of his household and unconditionally love his wife. It’s easier for the wife to submit to her husband if he bows before the Lord. When Christ is first in our life, we will yield to His authority.

Christians should have no problem bowing before Christ because we love Him. Sadly, many Christians live our own way instead of bowing our knees before Him. How many of us choose our words and actions in order to honor Christ?

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

A Christian shouldn’t live their life to gain the approval of men. It’s God we need to please. In every part of our life, we need to humbly bow before our Lord and behave in a way that honors Him.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

There are many human actions that are motivated by our sin nature. Our sins were nailed to the cross when Jesus shed His blood, and we need to crucify our will to His. When you have a desire to seek revenge for a wrong that’s been done to you, yield your will to Jesus and choose His way instead.

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).

Jesus forgave those who crucified Him. He took the sin of the whole world upon Himself when He went to the cross, and He forgave those who pounded the nails; but He also bore your sins and will forgive you. When temptation comes your way, crucify the carnal desires of the flesh and submit to the way of Christ. Scripture is clear about what constitutes sin; and no matter how you try to justify your choices, it’s still sin. Following Christ means turning away from sin.

Jesus gave us the example of how to be humble, but many of us choose to ignore that example. We get so caught up in our own pride that we forget to put Christ first. We say we’re Christians but we don’t follow His ways. When you set your heart to understand what the God of all creation did for you, you should be very humbled. If we call ourselves Christians, we need to follow Him.

“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13-15).

Jesus spoke those words to His disciples not long before He laid down His life and willingly went to the cross. Those men had followed Him but didn’t really understand God’s plan; however, their lives had been changed. Jesus would be arrested and crucified. His blood would pay the price for their sin as well as yours and mine.

How did Jesus spend that last night? He washed the feet of His disciples. He knew what was about to happen, but set the example of humility. In order to wash their feet, He had to bend His knees before them. Why is it so difficult for us to bow before Him? If you claim to be a Christian, you need to think about that. Instead of following the ways of the world, follow Him.

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

When you accept Christ for salvation, you no longer belong to yourself.

People who don’t recognize Jesus as Lord can’t be expected to bow before Him and follow His ways. Christians need to be the example to show them a better way…the way of Jesus.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return. That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear” (Isaiah 45:22-23).

This is an Old Testament verse that speaks a New Testament truth. How can this fallen world learn to bow before God if Christians don’t? If we don’t give a true picture of Christ through our life, we misrepresent Him to the world. Brothers and sisters, let’s humble ourselves before Him and confess Him before men by words and deeds.

“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8-9).

There’s more than one way to deny Him. The words you use can praise Him or deny Him, and you can also deny Him with your way of life. When you’re faced with a choice in life, be sure to choose to bow before Jesus. The simple act of obedience to Jesus will speak loudly and show the world that you’re a Christian.

There will come a time when saint and sinner alike will see Jesus. Some of us will feel unbounded joy because we chose to follow Him. Others will face the consequences of their choice to reject Him.

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ” (Philippians 2:10-11).

Everyone will die one day. Judgment will come after death. There’s no possible way for a human being to be good enough to merit eternal life with God. Only faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ will bring eternal life. As a Christian, you’ll be judged by His righteousness, not your own. The things you’ve done for Him will earn rewards, but things done when you didn’t submit your will to His will be burned. If you humble yourself and bow before Him now, you’ll be very glad you did.

People who’ve rejected Christ will also see Him. Sadly it will be an “Oops” moment when they realize too late that Jesus was, is, and forever will be Lord. Those who refused to accept His death, burial, and resurrection for their salvation will know too late that they should have bowed before Him in this life, because the choice must be made while living on this side of Heaven. After death it’s too late.

When will you bow? Will you wait until you stand before that White Throne awaiting judgment? You’ll know without a doubt that Jesus Christ is Lord, but your eternity will have been sealed. You will have condemned yourself to eternal death. You would be wise to accept Him as your Saviour today. Bow your knees now and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

 

Nobody likes to suffer, but if we can see a reason for it, suffering becomes easier to bear. Much suffering is caused by our own choices, but we always expect God to take the trouble away. Another reason is so His glory can be seen.

In Old Babylon, a decree had been issued requiring everyone to worship a false idol or be burned alive. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego worshiped God Almighty and refused to bow before an idol. They were sentenced to burn.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

We are to follow the law of our land, but not when it conflicts with God’s law. Three men were bound and thrown into the furnace, but four men were seen walking there.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:24-25). 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced suffering because they honored God, and He was with them in the furnace. Nebuchadnezzar saw and God was glorified. Those three Jewish men didn’t want to be burned in the furnace, but they refused to compromise their faith in order to worship a false god. Their example encourages us in times of trouble.

Sometimes suffering comes when God disciplines us. Anyone who has raised a child knows that discipline is important in shaping a child’s life. A loving parent will inflict punishment if that child lies, hits someone, or steals something. Childish lies can grow into more serious lies, and stealing another child’s toy can lead to grand theft; so children must be taught right from wrong. God also disciplines His children when we do wrong.

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not… Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” (Hebrews 12:6-7, 9). 

We don’t like to face discipline, but it helps to shape our Christian walk. God’s children need to learn to follow Him faithfully.

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).

Discipline can be painful, but we learn to walk in God’s ways.

Humans can easily be filled with pride. That happens when we feel as if we’ve accomplished great things by our own power. Instead of thanking God for what He’s done through us, we brag about our own accomplishments. An example is Paul, who was a prideful man and full of sin until he met Jesus. In order for him to accomplish great things for God, Paul first needed to be humbled. We know the great mission work he did, but we forget that it was years between the road to Damascus and when he was called to spread the Gospel. Pride could have ruined his witness.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

People speculate as to what the thorn was, but Scripture doesn’t say. Was it a physical ailment? Maybe it was the many arrests and beatings he endured. Whatever it was, it kept Paul humble. He prayed that this thorn would be removed, but we can take encouragement from God’s answer.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

If you’ve ever been tormented by a “thorn in the flesh” and asked God to take it from you, try thanking Him instead of complaining. That thorn may be what keeps you humble and of greater service to the Lord.

When we place our lives in the hands of our Lord, there’s a lifetime ahead of us to grow in faith. Quite often it’s the trials in this life that strengthen our faith.

“That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

By faith we know Jesus died for our sins, and faith is more precious than any riches this world has to offer. Whether a physical trial or a financial loss, our trials in life strengthen our faith, knowing that Jesus will guide us through. Too often we blame God. Many of us have watched a loved one suffer from a life-threatening disease. We pray for healing. We seek God. If that person dies, we blame God. Why? If our loved one was a Christian, then he or she has received the reward of their faith…eternity with Jesus.

“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9). 

It’s the emptiness in our own heart that makes us angry. Faith teaches us to trust God in all things. Even the death of a loved one.

Muscles grow stronger through exercise, and likewise our faith must be exercised to grow stronger. Trials strengthen our faith more than the easy times.

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3-5).

If you’ve always been wealthy, you can’t understand what it’s like to wonder where your next meal will come from. If you’ve always been healthy, you cannot possibly understand the anxiety of waiting for the diagnosis by a doctor.

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

The more trials we go through, the stronger we grow. Then we need to help others through their trials.

How often do you cry out to Jesus when things are going smooth? When things are going great, it’s easy to ignore Him, but trials bring us to our knees in prayer. Troubles teach us to give the problems and the outcome to Him.

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

The only way to learn to rise above troubles is to go through them. We learn to pray and lean upon Jesus for strength, and to trust God with the outcome.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Challenging times teach us that God can use all things for good, even if we don’t see the good immediately. We just need to trust Him.

Something we don’t often think about is that the angels learn from watching us. They are spiritual beings who see God, so they don’t live by faith. On the other hand, we live by faith, not by sight. Angels watched as men of old walked in faith through trials. Noah, Abraham, Jeremiah, and Daniel are just a few who had faith in the coming Messiah even through trials. Peter, John, and the other disciples saw Him and He changed their lives, but they weren’t exempt from suffering. Today we look back into history and are encouraged by those who walked before us in faith. The way we handle trials teaches angels about faith.

“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12).

The angels watched as Abraham made mistakes but grew faithful through those mistakes. Many prophets suffered trials but still faithfully served God, and the angels watched. They also watched Peter become a great leader who was obedient even to his own crucifixion. All of this must have been of great interest to the angels, and even today they watch us to learn about faith.

Even Christ suffered trials. Think about what He suffered for your salvation. Heaven is filled with absolute love and the glory of God. Jesus chose to set aside all He had in Heaven and stepped into this fallen world filled with sin. His “reward” on earth was rejection, false accusations, beating, mockery, and crucifixion. Jesus looked beyond the moment of suffering and saw the end. His sufferings are an example to us. His death made it possible for lost sinners to gain eternal life.

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1-2).

We need to look past this life and the suffering we face to see what awaits us in Heaven. While we live on this side of Heaven, we’ll face trials and temptations; but God will be with us through our suffering. Look to Jesus for an example of humble obedience through whatever comes our way.

Trials come in many forms, and each teaches a lesson. Through trials of suffering and loss, we learn to trust God. Trials of temptation teach us to overcome lust and sin through the power and strength of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4). 

Do you count it a joy when your faith is tried? I’m learning to find joy in troubles. Not because I enjoy the trouble, but I’m always in awe as God gets me through problems. It’s only by going through suffering, loss, or financial troubles that I, or anyone, can learn to trust Jesus. It’s hard not to despair when trouble strikes, but knowing that there’s a reason for the suffering can be a comfort.

There’s no substitute for faith in Jesus.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Thank You, Jesus, for seeing us through.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.