Exalt Others?

Within my human nature, I did not want to present this, but the Holy Spirit said do it. So here goes.

I did my Bible study tonight and I learned some stuff right out of Jesus' mouth.

Paul said:

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 

So here goes, using the Word for correction.

Let's start with the passage:

Matthew 23:1-12 NIV

[1] Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: [2] “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. [3] So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

 [4] They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. [5]  “Everything they do is done for people to see: 

They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; [6] they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; [7] they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

 [8]  “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. [10] Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 

[11] The greatest among you will be your servant. [12] For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

Jesus was pointing to the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees but applies to us today.

He said do not do things like they did for praise from men, to"be seen by men." Live your life to receive praise from God.

He said do not exalt others in the Church because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all equal. Do not cater to people's pride and arrogance in the Church by exalting them with titles. We do this all the time in the Christian and Catholic Churches. 

People have titles like Reverend, Bishop, Prophet, First Lady of..., Pastor, Man or Woman of God in the Christian world.

In the Catholic world they have many titles, Pope, Father, Bishop, Arch Bishop, Parishner, Sister, etc.

See? What a mess.

The world does it too: calling Dads "Fathers" or having "Father's Day."

Let's review what Jesus the Son of the Living God said. He is the only authority here:

 [8]  “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. [10] Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 

Why not exalt people with these titles? Because these people are your servants who do what God called them to do. Most importantly, Jesus said not to.

[11] The greatest among you will be your servant.

By exalting them, you are catering to their pride, arrogance, or conceit. You will add to the problem, not absolve it. 

We want to love each other and make sure none of us fall into sin like the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees did. This doesn't help anybody and can prevent people from being saved. This can intimidate people from coming to the Church because they do not have any sort of title. Remember the purpose for any of this; so that people will be saved.

We are all equal. We are all God's children and are all servants. So let's get rid of all self-serving titles and just be the Church. Forget religious tradition and do what Jesus said. Humble ourselves before God so He will lift us up. Love everyone and treat all with love because love never fails.

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

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Love you all,

Jeffrey Post