The God Complex
The emerging of untested leaders is a common occurrence within the human condition. Specifically, ethnic groups, communities and the organized churches are inundated with a massive insurgency of leaders that serve no purpose other than to manipulate the masses to further their own objective. Those of us who are enduring a type of suffering harbors a level of gullibility, we look for that Moses to appear and lead us into the promise land. We quickly succumb to the antics and rhetoric of the actors, the sports players the rock stars, the motivational speakers, we place them on pedestals and call them leaders.
Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Jesus spoke of his hatred for those that came into the church for the purpose of establishing rulership over God's people. Why did the church organize and succumb to the rule of leadership? Why is a level of salvation derived from collecting funds within a community and funneling it to groups outside of the community? Why have the saints of God emerged into an arena where the blessing of God is determined by the amount of money given? Why is the program always about raising money?
There is a type of sadness and suffering emulating from the household of faith, it is seen and experienced by those who are aware of the revocation of their immortal status. The syrupy messages of sunshine and favor no longer hold sway as they once did, the realization has begun to set in, we are being manipulated. The pomp and pageantry of idolatry have been injected into many of our worship settings as men and women adorn themselves in manners that separate themselves from the rest of the assembly. Does this level of seperation defined their level of Godliness? The organized church has become a place where fancy title are issued and "the God complex" is nurtured. Let's take a look at what Jesus had to say about clamoring for a title or position.
Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Jesus spoke of his hatred for those that came into the church for the purpose of establishing rulership over God's people. Why did the church organize and succumb to the rule of leadership? Why is a level of salvation derived from collecting funds within a community and funneling it to groups outside of the community? Why have the saints of God emerged into an arena where the blessing of God is determined by the amount of money given? Why is the program always about raising money?
There is a type of sadness and suffering emulating from the household of faith, it is seen and experienced by those who are aware of the revocation of their immortal status. The syrupy messages of sunshine and favor no longer hold sway as they once did, the realization has begun to set in, we are being manipulated. The pomp and pageantry of idolatry have been injected into many of our worship settings as men and women adorn themselves in manners that separate themselves from the rest of the assembly. Does this level of seperation defined their level of Godliness? The organized church has become a place where fancy title are issued and "the God complex" is nurtured. Let's take a look at what Jesus had to say about clamoring for a title or position.
Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Jesus forbade his disciples to seek such titles of distinction. The reason he gave was, that he was himself their Master and Teacher. They were on a level; they were to be equal in authority; they were brethren, and they should neither covet nor receive a title which implied either an elevation of one above another, or which appeared to infringe on the absolute right of the Saviour to be their only Teacher and Master. The command here is an express command to his disciples not to receive such a title of distinction. They were not to covet it; they were not to seek it; they were not to do anything that implied a wish or a willingness that it should be appended to their names. Everything which would tend to make a distinction among them, or destroy their parity, everything which would lead the world to suppose that there were ranks and grades among them as ministers, they were to avoid.
It is to be observed that the command is, that they were not to receive the title. "Be not ye called Rabbi." The Saviour did not forbid them giving the title to others when it was customary or not regarded as improper, (Acts 26:25;) but they were not to receive it. It was to be unknown among them. This title corresponds with the title "Doctor of Divinity," as applied to ministers of the gospel; and so far as I can see, the spirit of the Saviour's command is violated by the reception of such a title, as it would have been by their being called Rabbi. It is a literary distinction. It does not appropriately pertain to the office. It makes a distinction among ministers. It tends to engender pride, and a sense of superiority in those who obtain it, and envy and a sense of inferiority in those who do not; and the whole spirit and tendency of it is contrary to the "simplicity that is in Christ"
It is to be observed that the command is, that they were not to receive the title. "Be not ye called Rabbi." The Saviour did not forbid them giving the title to others when it was customary or not regarded as improper, (Acts 26:25;) but they were not to receive it. It was to be unknown among them. This title corresponds with the title "Doctor of Divinity," as applied to ministers of the gospel; and so far as I can see, the spirit of the Saviour's command is violated by the reception of such a title, as it would have been by their being called Rabbi. It is a literary distinction. It does not appropriately pertain to the office. It makes a distinction among ministers. It tends to engender pride, and a sense of superiority in those who obtain it, and envy and a sense of inferiority in those who do not; and the whole spirit and tendency of it is contrary to the "simplicity that is in Christ"
Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
This does not, of course, forbid us to apply the term to our real father. Religion requires all proper honour to be shown to him, Ex 20:12; Matthew 15:4; Eph 6:1-3. But the word father also denotes authority, eminence, superiority, a right to command, and a claim to particular respect. In this sense, it is used here. In this sense, it belongs eminently to God, and it is not right to give it to men. Christian brethren are equal. God only has supreme authority. He only has a right to give laws, to declare doctrines to bind the conscience, to punish disobedience. The Jewish teachers affected that title because they seem to have supposed that a teacher formed the man, or gave him real life, and sought, therefore, to be called father. Christ taught them that the source of all life and truth was God, and they ought not to seek or receive a title which properly belongs to him.
Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Those who go before others; who claim, therefore, the right to direct and control others. This was also a title conferred on Jewish teachers.
Neither of these commands forbids us to give proper titles of civil office to men or to render them the honour belonging to their station, Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:7; 1st Peter 2:17. They forbid the disciples of Jesus to seek or receive mere empty titles, producing distinctions among themselves, implying authority to control the opinions and conduct of others, and claiming that others should acknowledge them to be superior to them.
Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
He that shall humble himself, etc. God will exalt or honour him that is humble, and that seeks a lowly place among men. That is the true religion, and God will and God will reward it.
Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
The scribes and Pharisees explained the law of Moses and enforced obedience to it. They are charged with hypocrisy in religion. We can only judge according to outward appearance, but God searches the heart. They made phylacteries. These were scrolls of paper or parchment, wherein were written four paragraphs of the law, to be worn on their foreheads and left arms, Exodus 13:2-10,11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21. They made these phylacteries broad, that they might be thought more zealous for the law than others. God appointed the Jews to make fringes upon their garments, Numbers 15:38, to remind them of their being a peculiar people; but the Pharisees made them larger than common as if they were thereby more religious than others.
Pride was the darling, reigning sin of the Pharisees, the sin that most easily beset them, and which our Lord Jesus takes all occasions to speak against. For him, that is taught in the word to give respect to him that teaches are commendable; but for him that teaches, to demand it, to be puffed up with it, is sinful. How much is all this against the spirit of Christianity! The consistent disciple of Christ is pained by being put into chief places. But who that looks around on the visible church, would think this was the spirit required? It is plain that some measure of this antichristian spirit prevails in every religious society, and in every one of our hearts.
Pride was the darling, reigning sin of the Pharisees, the sin that most easily beset them, and which our Lord Jesus takes all occasions to speak against. For him, that is taught in the word to give respect to him that teaches are commendable; but for him that teaches, to demand it, to be puffed up with it, is sinful. How much is all this against the spirit of Christianity! The consistent disciple of Christ is pained by being put into chief places. But who that looks around on the visible church, would think this was the spirit required? It is plain that some measure of this antichristian spirit prevails in every religious society, and in every one of our hearts.
