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Monday, January
14, 2008
A Heavenly Calling
Matthew 23:1-5 Then spake Jesus to the
multitude, and to his disciples, (2) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees
sit in Moses' seat: (3) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that
observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
(4) For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on
men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their
fingers. (5) But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make
broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, (KJV)
What we see going on here in Matthew 23
is quite similar to what still takes place today. We have people that have
exalted themselves to positions of authority within the church or what they
envision a church to be. And we see those that are more concerned with
outward appearances and pleasing people rather than building up the people;
they are just building up their own egos. With many of these people they
preach messages and tell people how they should be living a godly life of
laying down their lives for the brethren; basically all the things they
themselves are not willing to do. Although they are quiet adept at pointing
out the faults and shortcomings of others, all the while at the same time
they have a closet full of skeletons they think they are hiding.
Matthew 23:6-12 And love the uppermost
rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, (7) And greetings
in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (8) But be not ye
called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
(9) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father,
which is in heaven. (10) Neither be ye called masters: for one is your
Master, even Christ. (11) But he that is greatest among you shall be your
servant. (12) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he
that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (KJV)
You don’t need a title or mans approval
to share the gospel or live a godly life. You are the written epistle known
and read of all men. So don’t wait around for some title of man before you
get out into the field which the Lord said is already ripe for harvest. The
church of God is not just limited to some building or some group of
believers that are under the authority and rule of someone with man’s title
of ordination. After all who would have been more qualified for this title
Himself but our Lord and He didn’t take it, so why do others? Masters,
Rabbi, all refer to honor, respect, or revered, which if it isn’t coming
from our Lord then it’s a waste of time. In fact if you are seeking
approval from man anyway, then you are already headed in the wrong direction.
The Bible is very specific to point out that if they hated our Lord then
they would hate those that imitate Him also. The Lord was trying to put a
stop to this stuff long ago so that mankind wouldn’t be looking up to
people and putting them on pedestals, but rather that those in position of
authority would be more of a servant than expecting to be served. Respect,
honor or approval is something we should be seeking from our Father above
and not lowering ourselves to the standard of man.
John 5:41-44 I receive not honour from
men. (42) But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (43) I
am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come
in his own name, him ye will receive. (44) How can ye believe, which
receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God
only? (KJV)
Many limit God and their calling because
they don’t have a title to back them up. Then you have those that base their
foundation on the fact that they have a title from man and therefore they
must be legit. The Lord Himself knew His calling and didn’t wait around for
man’s approval to fulfill His calling. Thank God He didn’t, otherwise we
would still be waiting for a savior to bring a plan of reconciliation to
mankind. In fact He instructs us just the opposite; man’s titles are
subject to man’s rules which will limit you from doing what He is asking.
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some,
apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (KJV)
Those that are answering their heavenly
call know their place in the body of Christ and will do all things decently
and in order. They don’t need a t-shirt or a neon sign that says they are
an apostle or prophet, but know their place and calling in the body and
carry it out in humility, serving and building up the saints instead of
trying to build themselves up. Remember people, a church is not a building,
it is the people that are the Church; like the Lord Himself said, ‘where
two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of
them’. So quit looking to outward things or titles of man to seek your
approval or win the congregation over, but teach sound doctrine that will
edify them in Christ.
1 Timothy 3:1-5 This is a true saying, If
a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (2) A bishop
then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good
behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (3) Not given to wine, no
striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not
covetous; (4) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in
subjection with all gravity; (5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own
house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (KJV)
Here’s a test for you, how well do you
run your own home? If your own home life is a mess what business do you
have trying to tell others how to live? Bishops, elders, deacons are all
chosen to help the congregation and to lead by example. To whom much is
given, much is expected; and these are the people that have walked with the
Lord and are living proof by example to the younger Christians on how to
live and walk in the Spirit. So whatever your calling is, being that it is
the Lord calling, feel free to answer it and don’t wait around for man’s
approval or title, but rather get to work.
Matthew 20:6-7 And about the eleventh
hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why
stand ye here all the day idle? (7) They say unto him, Because no man hath
hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever
is right, that shall ye receive. (KJV)
If you read this chapter it refers to the
parable of the vineyard. The owner of the vineyard, our Lord, keeps finding
people standing around idle because they are waiting for some man to tell
them what to do. When our Lord returns again someday to check out His
spiritual vineyard where will He find you? Are standing around idle waiting
for man’s approval or title before you go to work, or will you answer your
heavenly calling and receive the reward of inheritance?
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