He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)
But you, do not be called “Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. (Matthew 23:8)
The Holy Spirit is the only Teacher in the Church of Jesus Christ. The ONLY Teacher. We may teach (and well we should), but the Spirit is the only Person with the authority from above to teach and reveal the Father and the Son in our hearts. We do well to remember and receive this truth. This affords us the freedom to leave the results of our service to God, because we have been obedient to share the Word as He has directed. We are not responsible to make men understand or love the Lord, nor are we responsible for their growth and maturity in spiritual things. We do not have any lordship whatever over another saint's faith; that is between them and the Lord. The more we decrease, the sooner we decrease, the more purposeful we are about decreasing, the better. Many teachers have stumbled over the stumbling block of self-importance, and that never ends well. Never. Take heed to yourselves, teachers.
Let's Pray - Father, may each of us who teach Your Word do so according to the leading of Your Spirit and according to Your truth. May we remember we will be judged on a stricter basis. We will approach our calling with fear and trembling. In Jesus Christ, Amen.
Amen. Whoa!!!! Wow!!! The position of that pulpit and the perks that often come with it has snared many. Responsibility and accountability traditionally ......rarely comes with what is called the assignment. Much prayer, much compassion, support and respect for those who hold the office of teachers, preachers, and pastoring is needful from those of us who receive from the LORD from those vessels who have been given to the church. The world has not seen the POWER of THE CHURCH in operation because many are lacking in the FEAR & TREMBLING and honoring of the very God given vessels that Ephesians speaks about to help us grow into maturity in process of knowing HIM. More appreciative of the restrains that myself and others have had to protect us from this SNARE and it's judgment. Father have mercy, much mercy on those who ignorantly operate in these titles without being aware of the cost of the call. Please open up the eyes of your very elect so they won't continue as such. In Jesus Name deliver your vessels from the vain glory, & false sense of power & authority that has overtaken the masses of LEADERS in your churches. Forgive them. AND FORGIVE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE RECEIVED MUCH FROM THEM.....WITHOUT FERVENT & CONSISTANT PRAYER FOR THEM. We have been lacking too. I am choosing to intentionally honor them according to what you have said pertaining to the office of your vessels. I choose to LOVE rather than highlight the imperfections of such vessels. Thank you ohhhh God for this particular Word. To much that is given; much is required. Keep me focused Holy Spirit, keep me focused. And above all, thank you for your protection that I wasn't seeing that it was the hand of your saving grace. THE FATHER KNOWS BEST!!!!!!
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