"Title" Waves

Matthew 23:5-7 "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."

John 5:43-44 "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. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seeketh not the honour that cometh from God only?"

Some titles serve the function of announcing the trade or office of an individual such as "Doctor O Brian, Governor Granholm, Sergeant Shultz, or Pastor Jones. These titles serve only to inform the hearer of that this person is either a practitioner of a particular skill or that they occupy a particular office. They are, for the most part, neutral; providing they don't invoke pride on the part of those bearing them. We call President Bush "President Bush" because that's his official capacity. Unfortunatly, however, we tend to have a facination with titles in that many of us like to take them on for the sake of putting on a show, or we like to follow someone who has taken upon themselves a particular title. You've heard the phrase "I'm going to make a name for myself." As a result, people obsess to be noticed for the single purpose of receiving honor from their peers. Rappers will continuously try to outdo each other by coming up with increasingly cooler sounding, purposely misspelled names in an attempt to stand out from the other cool sounding misspelled names. Every famous performer has a stage name that's designed to project an image for that individual. In short we love to give ourselves names and we love to be associated with folks who have a favorable identity.

This is, in reality, a form of idolatry; worshipping the creature and giving no place to the creator. A t- shirt featuring a particular band is designed primarily to identify with the image of that band or to tell the world that you attended their concert. (Otherwise, you wouldn't have wasted $40 on it when you can purchase a "Fruit of the Loom" for only $5.) When you go into the plant where I'm employed, you'll find that a large number of the employees are wearing Harley Davidson attire. (Nothing wrong with harley Davidson; I'm only using this example to make a point) They are telling the world that they really like Harleys. About three years ago, a guy at work asked me "when are you going to get your Harley?" I sarchastically replied "I don't know; maybe after everyone else sells theirs." In short we like to identify with physical entities and as a result, a person will spend $200 on a Red Wings jersey because it's an "official" jersey.

Christians have the very same problem; although many would never admit to it. It's a problem that goes all the way back to the first days of the church and was addresed by the apostle Paul

I Corinthians 3:3-7 "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife,and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."

Today, this problem is rampant. Folks are quick to broadcast their title. Sometimes we will do so simply to let someone know of our stand concerning doctrinal issues. Other times, it becomes a source of pride. Folks will loudly proclaim "I'm a baptist" or "I'm UPC" or "I'm Church of God" I really believe that in most cases, this comes from an attitude of pride in a title; a fault that I have been guilty of in times past, when fellowshipping with particular churches. (spiritual pride is unbelievably destructive) In additon, we will tend to identify with a particular ministry instead of striving to identify with Christ. Partnering with a ministry for the purpose of forwarding the gospel is commendable, so long as they are grounded in truth. There's a real danger, however, if that particular ministry takes the place of Christ.

Let me address a pitfall here before continuing. This is not to suggest that you embrace every form of doctrine with a "can't we all just get along" attitude. There are scores of hereies and blatant false doctrines which "appear christian" but are not to be associated with. Today we have a move of "eccumenicalism" that's seeking to unite everyone under a "big tent." It sounds nice; it sounds so inclusive, so warm and fuzzy. In truth, it's laying the groundwork for the one world religious system that will embrace the man of sin. It'll seem like such a wonderful, understanding, tender hearted religion, while the remnant will be looked upon as "cold hearted, narrow minded, and backward." You can be sure that the ministers of this false religious system will be very skilled in misusing the scriptures and the simple will go on into perdition. I'm venturing into a future post here, but this is coming to pass at this very moment. This is why the following things are stressed so adamantly.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.

STAY IN THE WORD OF GOD.

TRY THE SPIRITS; TO SEE IF THEY BE OF GOD.

EXAMINE YOURSELF CONTINUOUSLY.

DO NOT FOLLOW A MAN OR A DENOMINATION

FOLLOW THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BE SENSITIVE TO THE HOLY GHOST.

WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION.

LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT AND SIN.

SET YOUR AFFECTIONS ON THINGS ABOVE.

KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE.

II Timothy 4:2-5 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; b ut after their their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy inistry.

One cannot adequatly stress how perilous these times are. I know that I've swerved into a second theme here, but it's important; EXTREMELY important to be sure that you're following Jesus Christ and not a title or a preacher. A preacher can fall. Titles will have no standing in eternity. On the last day, you're not going to be asked about your title. The only thing that will matter will be "is your name written in the book of life?" When all of the theatrics and debating are past; when the last sermon has been preached and the final seconds of time are history, the only thing that will matter will be this one thing. IS YOUR NAME RECORDED IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?

Search your heart and establish your heart. Be assured that no flesh will glory in the presence of God. Silly pride and vain glory are deadly as a viper. This post may be enhanced later, but for now I'll close out with this.

II Corinthians 5:16-17 "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; hehold, all things are made new."

Revelation 5:2-5 "And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."