DAILY DEVOTION November 29 SELF EXALTATION/PROMOTION AMONG THE CLERGY Matthew 23:5-9 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Nothing is more displeasing to our Lord Jesus Christ than hypocrisy, dissimulation, stage-playing in religion. The Lord Jesus, in His condemnation of the Pharisees recorded in Matthew 23, plainly forbids His followers from either giving or receiving honorific titles. Whereas the religious hypocrites love respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men Rabbi, this is not to be the mark of Christ’s disciples. It is important to recognize the harvest of taking self-glory by our pastors but Book of Acts 14:8-18 show us how Barnabas and Paul reject taking of such self-glory. Act 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein. Self-exaltation naturally follows self-deception. We deceive ourselves into thinking we are greater than we really are. The father of pride, Satan, encourages this self-deception that produces pride, and once pride is introduced, human nature takes over. Ironically, in our quest for self-exaltation, in the end we receive the opposite of our intended goal of personal glory; our quest ultimately results in shame. 1Corinthians 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. The true servant of God never exacts these titles as a rightful homage, or as indicating either superiority or special sanctity. We all have one Master and one Father; and, though our talents greatly differ, we stand on an absolute equality so far as saving grace is concerned. Christians have historically ignored God words. We have refused to take Jesus’ words at face value. Jesus’ obvious intent was to remove any basis for lording it over others by dispensing with titles that give people an elevated place in the pecking order. 1 Peter 5:3-4 Neither as being lords over Gods heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. “And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:17. GOD BLESS YOU. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. AMEN.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 18:49:41 +0000
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