They Love To Be Greeted With Respect

Why do so many churches today promote distinction and pride instead of equality and humility? For example, how often do you hear in a church the title "Pastor"? How often do you see in a sanctuary front-row seats designated for certain important people?

Jesus knows about people who love to be greeted with respect by others and be called by their titles:

"'They love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces

and to be called "Rabbi" by others.'"

Matthew 23:7 (NIV)

Jesus continues by saying:

"'But you are not to be called "Rabbi,"

for you have One Teacher,

and you are all brothers.'"

Matthew 23:8 (NIV)

To the body of Christ, there should be only One Teacher, with all members of the body considered brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I would like to praise the church I attended last Sunday because it obeyed these principles. Everything said and done pointed to only One Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ, using God's Word as a continual guideline. There was no special attention reserved for the leadership of the church.

Never are we to glorify ourselves or draw people to us for counsel and spiritual guidance. But rather we are to glorify God and draw people to Him and His Word for their spiritual growth.