By Published On: 6th June, 2024Categories: Nuggets0 Comments on Titles 2640 words3.2 min read

What about the hereditary titles, born into a family of royalty or a different level in society. Can we marry up or down, beyond our level in society? What kind of responsibilities does this bring? Are people born with a golden spoon in their mouth?  Do these titles make them better people?

In the churches are the pastors etc on a different level, are they above all others and have to be obeyed? The Bible says become a servant of all, not a ‘lording it over’ others. Mark 10 gives us an answer in vs 42, Jesus called them over and said to them,“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. 43 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” (HCSB).

In Matthew 23 1-12: Jesus publicly warns the people against the religious leaders who made themselves bigger, higher and more important than their fellow men, wanted to be called Rabbi but Jesus said: “Don’t you ever be called ‘rabbi’—you have only one teacher, and all of you are brothers. And don’t call any human being ‘father’—for you have one Father and he is in Heaven. And you must not let people call you ‘leaders’—you have only one leader, Christ! The only ‘superior’ among you is the one who serves the others. For every man who promotes himself will be humbled, and every man who learns to be humble will find promotion.” (JB Philips). This brings us to the issue of ‘entitlement’, which is defined by Wikipedia as “The fact of having the right to something or even the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.” Read the bible verse again. “For every man who promotes himself will be humbled and every man who learns to be humble will find promotion”.

Again in the OT: Moses’ encounter at the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-15 asks for a name or title from God – “I am that which I am” (Youngs Lit. Transl.) was the answer God gave him. This encompasses everything. The love of God is all the motivation needed to look after the betterment of others, so no distinction, no bullying as mentioned earlier. Only functions to fulfil in our different gifts or professions.

So what about it?

The identification of the person is not the title but the person themself, created in the image and likeness of God, as part of the godhead, all in harmony with each other.  We are all part of the Oneness in God. Realisation of this truth is so well said by Francois du Toit in 2 Cor. 5:16 : “Therefore from now on, I no longer know anyone according to the flesh. I no longer see people from a human point of view. This is a radical and most defining moment. No label could possibly previously identify someone carrying any further significance” (Mirror). We are not different from each other; but in this world, on this earthly plane we are living in, we make a distinction between the people according to role, so we can set them apart from each other. Yes we have titles so we know who to call if we need a plumber or doctor.

No more looking at one another for what title they carry. We are all sons of God, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female you are all in Jesus Christ (James 3). This is where our identification lies.

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