Continuing our prayers to encourage GOD’s blessing upon the church of Jesus Christ, the newly elected Pope Francis I, and all who serve as spiritual leaders in the earth, our topic today focuses on titles and respect shown to clergy and others. Also there is more on the eternal person of Christ. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Beyondthebox” (Level 4 with 3,948 points, a member since June 19, 2010) posted the following:
Although Jesus said, call NO man your father, teacher, rabbi?
( i’m pretty sure that includes guru, pastor and pope) sheeple will always insist on having a king to follow right?
Since sheeple insist on having to follow a king, don’t wish that the new pope will use his influence to promote kindness toward all, oppression of no one. genuine kindness doesn’t pick and choose?
THE BATTLE AXE: Before Abraham Was… (03/14/2013)—Just as the sudden removal of all plant life from the earth would result in a chain of destruction and upheaval, the sudden removal of all who are presently tainted by sin would cause disproportion and ripples of imbalance throughout the universe. The salvation of mankind is therefore carried out as an aspect of perfecting all that is. As the primary agent in the divine process, Christ who may be within all, also must be above all.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? (Matthew 21: 33-40, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: My Sheep Hear My Voice (03/08/2013); Wanting to Have Our Way (03/09/2013); Idols of Flesh? (03/12/2012); The Work of Jesus (03/13/2012); Dispatch 45: Partakers (09/24/2011); Dispatch 42: Unprofitable Servants (09/21/2011); Why No Answer? (08/25/2012); To Be or Not To Be (08/26/2012); Respect? (01/02/2011); Not Accepted? (01/03/2011); Spirit or Word? (12/11/2010); Justification? (12/12/2010); Faith Forced? (12/13/2010)
The counsel of Jesus, to call no man on earth “Father”, is a warning against idolatry, and the promotion of clergy, family, and all temporal leaders as false gods. Eternal life and salvation from judgment against sin do not result from actions by created beings and living creatures operating apart from Almighty GOD. The flesh generates many devices and mechanisms that are distractions for the people of GOD, and will interfere with their pursuit of the Gospel.
Mature Christian believers generally agree that those who are consecrated and sanctified for service to the church often have greater emotional, psychological and spiritual burdens placed upon them, for they are accountable to GOD, and under scrutiny within themselves and by the full assembly in ways that constitute continual (though not always correct and righteous) judgment. See 1st Timothy 3, King James Version.
Given that experience, gifts, skills and understandings of spiritual truth varies from person to person, it remains that there are many who are not prominent, yet may make unique contributions to a body of believers. Where such persons serve as clergy, cooperation, obedience and respect are to be shown their authority and service, even where their character, demeanor and personality do not make them likeable (see John 10: 36-38, 1st Timothy 5: 17-18, KJV).
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the high standard of cooperation, mutual support and respect that should appear in the church is often called “love.” Even the lowliest servant within the household of GOD is not to be abused, insulted, mistreated, or obstructed in their work, or spiritual growth (see Matthew 18: 6, Luke 12: 42-38 and Romans 14: 4, KJV). Consider how this also might include both Death and Satan.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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