Romans 14:11
11 For it is written, “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”

This verse has always posed and interesting thought for me.  I read it and the memories of preachers and teachers immediately come up from the past.  It conjures up this image of souls being rounded up after they are dead, and when they are brought into the presence of God He forces those unwilling into a kneeling position and makes them give praise to Him.  

Now I understand that God is all powerful.  He created the universe and all its splendor.  How easy would it be for the most High to simply make someone do anything.  Throughout the course of time, as highlighted in Scripture, we see God make many things bend to His will.  For example: the whale swallowing Jonah, the donkey that speaks, the plant that grew up overnight for Jonah, the storm listening to the sound of Jesus, and even His control over all things when the plagues were brought upon Egypt.  When we think of God and these things, we see a God who is illustrated with unlimited power .  

However, that is where my thoughts stop.  I cannot help but think there is something else going on.  The context is about our brothers and our sisters in Christ.  Paul is using this Old Testament verse to illustrate that the disagreements we have with each won't matter, because at the judgment we stand before God to give our own account.  

So obviously Paul isn't telling people that God is going to break their knee caps and make them fall down before God.  That is just silly to think.  Paul is addressing an entirely different issue.  What does the original verse mean? In order to understand this verse, we must find it in the Old Testament. 

Isaiah 45:22 “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. 23 “I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. 24 “They will say of Me, ‘Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.’Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him will be put to shame.

God isn't commanding someone to bow before Him.  He is giving a prophecy of what will happen.  God is speaking, that through Him is salvation.  That people will recognize salvation in His presence.

I remember as a kid watching tv shows and seeing how people in royal families were treated.  When they walked into a room, often times people would bow and greet them, "Your majesty." Some countries still have this practice today.  This is from one human to another who is in an elevated position,  How much more do we look at our Heavenly Father who has created all and has power over all?  When the day of judgment comes, no one is going to have to force you to kneel in His presence.  No one is going to make you confess that He is Lord.  Your eyes will be open, and it will be the only response that you will want to give.  To recognize Him as Lord and Savior of all.  

You don't have to wait until judgment day to do such a thing.  Jesus Christ gave Himself as an offering for our sin so we could freely bow before God without condemnation.  As God spoke to Isaiah, "turn to Me and be saved...for I am God, and there is no other."  There is nothing that can save us except bowing down and giving Him glory.  Now this verse that was forcing people to bow down before God, is now a verse that highlights His saving grace.  Salvation is from the Lord, and it is only through Him will we find righteousness and strength.