2 Corinthians 5:14 English Standard Version (ESV) For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

Yesterday we left off with the notion that those who lose the war have no control over what comes next. This kneeling posture is one of accepting our fate is in the hands of our captor.

Most of us did not even know we were in a war.

James 4:4 English Standard Version (ESV) You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Yet here we are having lost the war and are at the mercy of our Lord. Now a strange thing happens that is unexpected for the prisoner of Christ. We are executed.

Romans 6:3 English Standard Version (ESV) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Our death sentence has been carried out by Christ. His death paid for our sins. In the world this does not work. Now that we are Kingdom Dwellers we understand God’s justice has been satisfied. He no longer seeks death for those who were once enemies.

This world tells us we need to control our own destiny but in this Kingdom we discover our fate is in the hands of the Father. It makes us uncomfortable in the flesh to admit we have lost control. We struggle with life in the flesh that wants control and the spirit which is subject to the will of God.

Hebrews 11:6 English Standard Version (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

If we seek His will we will discover greater rewards than we could ever earn for ourselves alone.

Ephesians 3:14-21 English Standard Version

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Here Paul begins this pray on his knees. It is very symbolic that this position is taken because it recognizes the authority of God over life itself. Paul’s prayer is for the very best for us. His prayer to the Ephesians is also a prayer for us. We might not all be asked to get on bended knee when asked to pray but it is often said, “Bow your heads.”

The tradition has been passed down through the millennia and may have lost its original meaning. It is not often taught but ought to be part of our vocabulary and it is more than submission, it is one of surrender. It says “Your will be done” in our mannerisms but it is more than just a symbolic gesture.

Those who have lost the war may be subject to execution.  It is beyond their control and they have no voice in defense of their position. Their fate is sealed and what is about to happen is beyond their control.