Philippians 2:11 “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Who can truly “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”? While Jesus Christ lived among men on this earth, many eyes saw Him in person but did not recognize Him as “Jesus Christ” the “Lord”; many even hated and sought to kill Him. When the Lord asked the question, “But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15), Peter responded “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16). The Lord then clearly explains how man can come to know such a thing; “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17). He makes it clear that not Peter, nor any other, human being can come to know this blessed truth unless God reveals it to them. Paul also makes it very clear that “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (I Corinthians 12:3)! And John tells us that “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (I John 5:1). It is amazing that as He was standing right in front of the Jewish authorities, they asked Him, “Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:” (Luke 22:67); But, “Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” (John 1:49) and “the centurion” said “Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39)! Therefore, the “every tongue” that “should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” are those who have been “born again” of the Holy Spirit and have had it “revealed” “unto” them by God! Said another way, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44) and “no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” (John 6:65). And, those that “come to” the Lord, are drawn to our Lord and He “will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44); and, not a single one of His beloved Children will be Eternally Lost (John 6:39)! This blessed knowledge and salvation is not the result of any choice or works on our part; “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8)! Those who know this blessed truth ought to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow” the Lord (Luke 9:23)!!!