July 26, 2026
The Exalted One
In our lives, we tend to exalt certain aspects, assigning them greater significance and ranking them above others. This inclination is apparent in the way we prioritize particular elements in our lives. When something garners increased attention, time, or financial resources, it is typically something we exalt. This may include our careers, hobbies, family, friends, possessions, etc. It isn’t inherently evil or bad to do so, for there are things in our lives that require more of our attention than others, based on the responsibilities we have taken on. However, there are times in our lives, or seasons we go through, when all our attention is focused, usually on one thing, at the expense of everything else.
When this happens, we tend to begin idolizing that thing. Not idolizing it in the sense of giving homage or worship, as we may find in religious practice, but idolizing it in the sense of importance and how it plays a part in governing our life. Apostle Paul once spoke of greed as an idol (Col. 3:5). In other words, someone pursuing riches and wealth can act like an idol in their life. Thus, their whole being becomes consumed by that pursuit. Therefore, what we exalt can affect us; it can dictate our time, our passions, and our priorities.
In the book of Philippians, after the Apostle Paul had made an appeal to the brethren to have the mind of Christ, that is, to be humble and obedient, he then speaks of Christ, who became a servant, was crucified, was exalted to the highest place, and was given a name above all others by God (Phil. 2:9). In all creation, both in heaven and on earth, there is one who God has exalted and that is Christ.
As Christians, we should be governed by this truth. If God has exalted him, we too should exalt him in our lives. Christ should be our priority in life; he should be what we pursue and the most important aspect of our lives. As God gave him a name above all others, we should be able to say with confidence and testify in action that Christ is above everything else in our lives. This is what it means to exalt him. But practically, what does that look like? There are two things that follow this declaration about the exaltation of Christ that we should express in our lives.
First, as every knee will bow, we should bow before our Lord (Phil. 2:10). Bowing was an ancient practice that expressed submission and adoration. It signified submission to a king's role and adoration of his position as king. In the same way, we express this toward Christ by obeying his authority in our lives and adoring him, for he is King. The second way is by making a confession of his reign (Phil. 2:11). As every knee will bow, so will every tongue acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. To the Christian, this implies we carry the name of Jesus and his Lordship into the world around us. We proclaim him to be king, not only of our lives but of all things. We are not ashamed to have him as King, nor ashamed to be his subject.
Let us take the teaching of Paul here and make it part of our life. Let us dethrone anything that is exalted in our life that competes with Christ, and let him, and him alone, sit on the throne of our hearts by bowing every knee before him and proclaiming his reign.
- Christian Joyner
Past Articles
The Exalted One 7/26/2026
The Right Mind To Have 7/19/2026
Always Wanting It Our Way 7/12/2026
Complete My Joy 7/5/2026
Boldness in Opposition 6/28/2026
Walking in a Worthy Manner 6/21/2026
Rejoicing in the Preaching of the Gospel 6/7/2026
Encouraging Boldness 5/31/2026
The Gospel In Unfavorable Circumstances 5/24/2026
Goodness From Knowledge 5/17/2026
God's Finished Work 5/10/2026
Our Identity 4/26/2026