Phil. 2:5-11 

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!   9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We read Phil. 2:5-8 yesterday, but they’re important to understanding verses 9-11.  Verse 9 starts with the word “therefore” and one of my mentors used to tell me when you see that word in scripture you need to find out what it’s “there for”.  It almost always relates in some way to a truth that has preceded it.

In light of Jesus’ willingness to humble himself completely to the will of God – even to the point of death; God exalted him and gave him a name above every name.  Jesus is LORD.  There is a time coming when every person who has ever lived – no matter their language or place of origin – will confess PUBLICLY with all the gathered beings of creation that Jesus Christ is LORD.  To “confess” here means to agree with what God has said about Jesus and to publicly declare this truth.  However, this is not a declaration of Christ’s Lordship or confession that leads to salvation.  This is a time prior to the final judgment of all beings; where all who have rejected Jesus, all the enemies of God, all the demons of hell and Satan himself will declare that “Jesus Christ is Lord”.   

Those who have failed to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior prior to their death or the 2^nd Coming of Christ will make this profession, but the blessing of forgiveness and eternal life will have been forever forfeited because they chose to reject Christ during their life.   

For those of us who are believers, this is a sobering reality that should remind us of our responsibility to continue doing everything we can to share the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ with our family, friends, neighbors, associates, community, and world.  Who are you praying for that you know doesn’t have a relationship with Christ?   Who are you Investing in & Inviting to church?  Who do you need to share your story with; the story of how you became a Christian?  Is there someone God has put upon your heart to share the gospel with personally?   What will you do about it?