For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11
As I read a recent Bible-related article on a news website, I was rather shocked at some of the comments that readers posted at the bottom of the page. For example, one reader spoke in degrading and mocking terms about the Bible, saying it is no longer a best-selling book, and calling it a book of fiction. These comments display the reader’s pathetic ignorance of the facts. Not only have more Bibles been printed than almost all other books put together but the Bible is also such a runaway best-seller every month that it has been removed from the best sellers lists to avoid embarrassing publishers of other books. So much for being a former best seller! As for being a book of fiction, not one word or statement in the Bible has ever been proven false or misleading. In fact, archaeologists and scientists continue to be amazed at how their discoveries line up with what Scripture stated thousands of years ago. When I tried to respond to the ignorant comments of the scoffer, I found that comments had been terminated for that article. But the scoffer will one day be forced to admit that he was totally wrong. So will all of those who reject God’s Word now.
In today’s text, Paul is quoting from the prophecy of Isaiah, at least 800 years earlier. So this declaration that all will bow and all will confess is ancient and well established. It stands as a condemnation of all who reject what God has to say. It condemns those who deny God’s existence, who reject the inerrancy of God’s Word, who distort or alter God’s word in any way for their own purposes, who give lip service to God’s Word but follow their own paths of religion and good works that the Bible condemns. We can understand how the atheist and the criminal will be utterly ashamed when they stand before the Great White Throne. But sometimes we are less certain of the fate of those who follow the course of religion. After all, they do speak of God, and read portions of His Word. But if those people reject God’s declaration of their sinful and helpless condition, they are rejecting the truth of His plan of salvation. Even Christians need to be careful that we accept all of the Word of God and nothing that contradicts the Word of God.
As our text presents dreadful truths to those who reject God, so it presents comfort to those who accept Him. The knee that bows in repentance to God in time will never bow to Him in shame in eternity. At salvation’s day, we acknowledged that we were wrong, that God is right, and found acceptance in His mercy. Since that day, we abide in His acceptance, holding a position that is ours forever. We also abide in His acceptance daily, trusting His word to direct and feed us, trusting His arm to shelter us, and trusting His will to bring us into the very best that our lives can be. As we have confessed to God, let us also confess God to those around us.
God is the Lord, and all will acknowledge that. It gives us joy to acknowledge it today. -Jim MacIntosh