Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man]. After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.
Have you ever wondered why some people curse the name of Jesus Christ? It’s simply because their spirit recognizes who Jesus is, even though they refuse to acknowledge Him in the flesh, before their appointed time.
Do you remember what the demons said about Jesus in Matthew 8:29? They were astonished by His presence, and they were wondering why He was there?
Interesting isn’t it, how even the demons recognize who Jesus Christ is, as the Son of God, and they were caught off guard, believing that He had come to judge them at that very moment.
Ever since His resurrection, Jesus Christ has been seated in the heavenly realms at the right hand of God, the Father, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:20-21).
His name is already well established. He knows who He is, and who belong to Him.
Do you belong to Him?
My prayer is that you would recognize your need for Jesus Christ. Your sin separates you from God, for “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
God loves you, and He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, for you that by believing in Him you might not perish, but have eternal life, for Jesus did not come to judge you, but to save you (John 3:16-17).
Jesus came to give you life in abundance, and He holds the keys to life and death.
Today, I would encourage you to choose life, be forgiven of your sin, and be restored in relationship with your Heavenly Father, through faith in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.
…if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
You name is highly exalted above every name. At the mention of your name, every one of us will bow before you, as Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Help us to see where we stand with you. If we are forgiven, then may we continue to rejoice with you. If we are found guilty, then may we accept your forgiveness, so that we no longer have to remain condemned. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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