Souls That Obey

“So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Phil 2:10). In this passage Paul links Jesus lordship to his humble obedience to God even taking on human form and dying on the cross (vs. 6-9). Paul then explains some of the implications of Christ lordship in the next passage. Paul connects verses 12-18 to verses 9-11. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence,” (Phil 2:12). Just as Christ was obedient to the will of God the Father, so also should we be obedient to God’s will even if it is not what we would want to do. Paul says, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning,” (Phil 2:14) but why? Because Christ did not grumble or complain but he did the will of the Father.

In addition to Christ example we have the insightful statement, under the revelation of the Holy Spirit, in verse 13, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” We can see that, even in the activities or task we do not desire to do, by being obedient to God’s calling in our life he works in us to desire and to do his will. It is in the process of doing what we do not desire to do, (what he has called us to do that is, contrasted to Rom 7:19-20) that God can mold and shape our hearts and our understanding of him, so that we are more trusting and obedient to him in our hearts and minds. This is the ultimate form of bowing our knee to Jesus, to have our hearts, minds and wills molded and shaped into souls that obey without grumbling or complaining.