Mensa Otabil - All Shall Submit to God (10/03/2025)
Welcome to day number 37 of our 40 days of power. We’ve traveled a long journey; after this point, three days more, and we will thank God for giving us the strength to start and to finish. This week, we’ve been talking about proclaiming God’s rule, and today we look at the subject: «All Shall Submit to God.» It is taken from the book of Philippians, chapter 2, verses 10 to 11:
«That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.» What a fabulous statement! This statement is remarkable because it is one of the earliest hymns in Christendom, celebrating the humanity of Christ, His suffering, and His exaltation or glorification. So, anytime we examine it, we uncover very important truths about who Jesus is and the authority of His name. There are four things I want to bring to your attention.
First, the name of Jesus demands allegiance; that means every knee must bow to the name of Jesus or to the Lord Jesus Christ in this age and in the age to come. When we become Christians, we pledge allegiance and loyalty to Jesus Christ; we make Him our Lord. This is a serious commitment; it’s not just about adopting a religion or going to church or simply saying, «I’m born again.» It’s a matter of knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord. That’s why the early apostles of Jesus Christ considered themselves or called themselves slaves to Him, meaning they had no will and no choice except the will and choice of Jesus Christ. They had no life except the life of Jesus Christ. We die to ourselves so that we can live His life in us.
Every knee will bow to the name of Jesus; His name demands allegiance. Secondly, the name of Jesus has universal power. It resonates both in the spiritual world and in the natural world; it transcends all jurisdictions and dimensions-in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. There is no realm that is untouched by the authority of the name of Jesus. When we proclaim the name Jesus, it does not have limited application or jurisdiction; it’s not like the laws of Ghana, which are limited to Ghana. If you run to Togo, they don’t affect you. The laws of every nation are limited to their jurisdiction. Even the declarations we make here on earth do not apply to other planets. So, when we look at our power, no matter how powerful we are, it’s limited. But the name of Jesus has no limit; it transcends all spheres, all dimensions, and all realms-that’s an important truth to learn.
Thirdly, the name of Jesus will be acknowledged by all; every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. This includes people who hate Him, who despise Him, and people who say, «I don’t care about Christianity; I don’t care about Jesus. Who is Jesus?» Well, every tongue, at one point in their lives, will make that confession-either willingly, because they have accepted Jesus as Lord, or against their will, because Jesus is their judge. When He is judging you, you will call Him «My Lord,» because at that time you have no choice but to acknowledge that the one sitting in judgment over you is Lord over you. So, everyone, one way or another, is going to confess that Jesus is Lord. I think it’s better to do it willingly and to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Fourthly, the name of Jesus brings glory to God the Father. When we honor Him, we honor God, the Godhead. Thus, it is not a name that conflicts with God or Jehovah, but a name given to bring glory to God. In Christ Jesus, we find a name that is above every name; at the mention of the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. That is why we proclaim Him as Lord of our lives, Lord of our nation, Lord of our family, Lord of our children, and Lord over the works of our hands-Lord over everything that we have. May Christ be Lord totally and absolutely in your life.
Let us pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, You have exalted Christ in glory and power. To Him all knees bow and all tongues confess. In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen. Well, I’ll catch you again tomorrow. We have entered the last half-week of 40 days of power; from tomorrow, we have only three days to go, and I trust it is going to be glorious. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.