At the Name of Jesus Every Tongue Should Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord - Part 1193

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name -- 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 2:5-11)

Within these six verses, Paul the apostle is asking us to obey, as he and the other disciples have obeyed, and to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Why? Because it is God who works within us both to will and to do His good pleasure (without murmurings and disputings) so that we may be blameless and harmless, the sons and daughters of the Most High King, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

As lights holding forth the Word of life so that we may rejoice in the day of Christ. 

Jesus said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest for your souls, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Moreover, Jesus told us that He was the bread of life. "He that cometh to Me shall never hunger and He that believeth on Me shall never thirst ... Verily, verily, I say unto you  -- He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. I am the bread of life ... I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever, and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:35-51)

But wait. Jesus had just fed the five thousand with five barley loaves and two fishes. When everyone had finished eating, there were twelve baskets containing the fragments of the loaves left over. In fact, it must have been satisfying because these same people came looking for Jesus and His disciples the next day. When they could not find Jesus, these took shipping and came to Capernaum seeking Him. 

When they found Jesus, He told them that they were looking for Him, not because of the miracles, "but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled." (John 6:26) 

In other words, these people were not labouring for the meat which endureth forever unto everlasting life, "which the Son of man shall give unto you; for Him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:27)

These were not interested in letting the mind of Christ dwell in them. Rather, they only followed Jesus for the benefits that He could give them, and the miracles. Kind of like those who stood on the banks when John the baptist was baptizing people unto repentance. These wanted the benefits but were not willing to get wet.

Sadly, do we not see the same thing happening today within our religious institutions? 

Even when the Word states that salvation includes repentance and being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus for the remission of sins, how many will stop and actually obey? (Acts 2:37-42) 

Instead, too many stand on the river shores in case they get wet. Too many stand on the river bank in case they may have to step away from man-made religious institutions (whereby the traditions of men dominate their respective statements of faith), and not the Word of God which transcends all wisdom and knowledge.

Too many fail to step away from the life that Jesus has promised and the purposes which He has instilled in their heart while still in their mother's womb - "that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on Him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40)

As Jesus said unto those who looked to Him for another meal -- "But I said unto you -- that ye also have seen Me and believe not." (John 6:36)

Step out by faith and get to know the goodness and mercy of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ today. Seek the living bread which came down from heaven that satisfies beyond measure. Study His Word so that the mind of Christ can be in you, so that you can shine too as lights in a very dark world. Hold fast to the apostles doctrine and don't let the worldly spirit deceive you from achieving the life that was intended for you from the very beginning.

Yes, find a pond or a river or a bathtub if necessary and be water baptized (buried) in the precious name of Jesus, for He is that bread of life who is inviting us -- as the bride of Christ -- to the wedding feast. The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Revelation 22:13)

Jesus said, "And, behold, I come quickly and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Revelation 22:12)

This is why we are instructed to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. So much to do, and yet, so little time. 

Stand in the offering plate.