"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,'
for you have only one MASTER and
you are all brothers." Matthew 23:8
In every generation, there are those
of an officious spirit who aspire to
leadership, demanding deference
from their fellows. Such men insist upon
unqualified subjection from their followers.
Their interpretation of the Scriptures must
not be challenged, their dictates are final.
Everyone must believe precisely what
they teach, and order all the details
of his life by the rules of conduct
which they prescribe--
or else be branded as a heretic.
There have been, and still are, many such
self-elevated little popes in Christendom,
who deem themselves to be entitled to
implicit credence and obedience, whose
decisions must be accepted without question.
They are nothing but arrogant usurpers,
for CHRIST alone is the MASTER of
Christians; and since all of HIS disciples
are "brethren," they possess equal rights
and privileges.
father; for ONE is your FATHER--
HE who is in Heaven." Matthew 23:9.
This dehortation has ever been needed
by GOD'S people, for they are the most
part simple and unsophisticated, trustful
and easily imposed upon.
In those verses, the LORD JESUS was
enforcing the duty of private judgment,
bidding believers to allow none to be
the dictators of their faith, or lords
of their lives.
No man is to be heeded in spiritual
matters, any further than he can
produce a plain and decisive,
"Thus says the LORD"
as the foundation of his appeal.
To be in subjection to any ecclesiastical
authority which is not warranted by Holy Writ,
or to comply with the whims of men--
is to renounce your Christian freedom.
Allow none to have dominion over your
mind and conscience. Be regulated only
by the teaching of GOD'S Word, and
firmly refuse to be brought into bondage
to "the commandments and doctrines
of men." Instead,
CHRIST has made us free," (Galatians 5:1)
yielding unreservedly to HIS authority alone.
GOD does not require the minds and
consciences of HIS children to be
enslaved by any ecclesiastical dominion.
Each one has the right to exercise
his own judgment.
your care . . . not greedy for money, but eager
to serve; not lording it over those entrusted
to you, but being examples to the flock."
1 Peter 5:2-3.
Instead of lording it over GOD'S heritage,
preachers are to be "examples to the flock"--
personal patterns of good works, holiness,
and self-sacrifice; models of piety, humility,
and charity.
Love of power has been as common a sin
in the pulpit, as love of money, and many
of the worst evils which have befallen
Christendom, have issued from a lusting
after dominion and ecclesiastical honors.
Such is poor human nature, that good men
find it hard to keep from being puffed up and
misusing any measure of authority when it
is committed unto them, and from not doing
more harm than good with the same.
Pastors are to make self-abnegation, and
not self-exaltation, their constant aim.
The right of private judgment does not
mean that each Christian may be a law
unto himself, and still less lord over
himself. We must beware of allowing
liberty to degenerate into license!
No, it means the right to form our own
views from Scriptures, to be in bondage
to no ecclesiastical authority, and to be
subject unto GOD alone. Two extremes
are to be guarded against:
1. Slavery to human authority and tradition.
2. The spirit of self-will and pride.
Private judgment does not mean private
imagination, but a deliberate conviction
based on Holy Writ!
Though I must not resign my mind and
conscience to others, or deliver my reason
and faith over blindfold to any church--
yet I ought to be very slow in rejecting
the approved judgment of GOD'S
true servants.
Self-conceit is to be rigidly restrained.
Private judgment is to be exercised
humbly, soberly, and impartially,
with a willingness to receive light
from any quarter.
Ponder the Word for yourself; but mortify
the spirit of haughty self-sufficiency, and
be ready to avail yourself of anything likely
to afford you a better understanding of GOD'S
truth. Above all, daily beg the HOLY SPIRIT
to be your teacher!
And always accord your brethren the same
right and privilege, which you claim for yourself.
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You might want to read the whole of Pink's very helpful 5 page article,
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