What Does It Mean to Kneel?

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What Does It Mean to Kneel?

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In the late 1960s, Frank Sinatra recorded a song that Paul Anka wrote called “My Way.” That particular song epitomized the “it is all about me” type of life in a very “in your face” style of writing. It has been called the most written about song in “pop” music history. It expressed complete confidence in the idea that a man must live life "his" way. Interestingly, God also has a way to live life.

There are several notable statements in the Bible expressing this but perhaps most important is none of them stress doing things only your own way.

I would like to consider just one line from the last stanza: “For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught. To say the things he truly feels and not the words of him who kneels…”

Is kneeling a bad thing?

What is the problem with kneeling? Humanly speaking, to kneel to a human would be, well, humiliating! But what about kneeling to God? Psalm 95:6 asks us to “kneel before the Lord our maker.” God, our Creator, deserves worship.

Daniel (Daniel 6:10) explained that he prayed on his knees before God three times a day.

When Peter realized the inherent power of Jesus, he knelt before Him (Luke 5:8).

The Eternal said to Isaiah, who then wrote, “That to Me (the Eternal) every knee shall bow.” (Isaiah 45:23) In Romans 14:12 we learn why, “Each of us shall give account of himself to God.” It should be obvious to every true believer that we should kneel to God.

Perhaps Frank (or Paul Anka) saw God differently or really wasn't thinking of God at all. But it is still more than just a little disappointing that Paul Anka wrote (and Frank Sinatra would sing): “For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself then he has naught. To say the things he truly feels and not the words of him who kneels…"

If man has only got himself then he has not much!

What is man?

God made man in His image, but incomplete. That incompleteness is filled when, as scriptures explain, the Spirit of God is given. The stated process is simple and, though frequently fraught with challenges, absolutely necessary. Without God’s Spirit, man will come to have no future as his physical life comes to a screeching halt.

Even with God's Spirit, the physical must die because only Spirit lives eternally. However, God has devised certain processes, revealed in the Bible, which clearly explain the road to Eternal Life. One of the necessary ingredients is real humility. Humility is demonstrated by kneeling.

Everyone will kneel

Either now or later, each person will have one opportunity to kneel before Christ. When that occurs, sincerely and honestly, with full recognition of what that kneeling means, the individual will become eligible to receive the gift of eternal life. After sufficient time has passed—judged by Christ alone (Romans 14:10) to determine that the choice to receive God’s Holy Spirit was not capricious or self-centered—physical life may end but true Spirit life is assured. Man can become like God in amazing ways

To learn more about God and what He expects from us, read our free Bible study guide, Who Is God?

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Comments

  • Marianne Faithful
    The lyrics of that song can also be interpreted as the author addressing God. It sounds to me as if he is standing before God on judgement day, taking full responsibility for the way he has lived that life. According to the teachings of the church in which I was raised, we sit to learn, kneel to pray, and stand to praise. I believe while there is a time to kneel, at that particular point of our journey we should be standing.
  • Marianne Faithful
    The lyrics of that song can also be interpreted as the author addressing God. It sounds to me as if he is standing before God on judgement day, taking full responsibility for the way he has lived that life. According to the teachings of the church in which I was raised, we sit to learn, kneel to pray, and stand to praise. I believe while there is a time to kneel, at that particular point of our journey we should be standing.
  • snakyjake
    I have thought to kneel is to submit yourself. I'm mostly concerned what it would mean if I'm forced to kneel to a king/leader/authority/dictator/if I'm held hostage to a criminal thug, and if that would violate God's law?
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