Bestowed, Not Chosen

Proverbs 22:4 "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." Hebrews 5:4 "And ho man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."

A little context for the verse from Hebrews is necessary here. The author is talking about the office of high priest, and how the person of high priets offers up sacrifices for the sins of the people. The point is also made that the Aaronic/Levitical preisthood was never able to fully atone with sacrifice as they also had sin to be atoned for. We have already discussed the superiority of Christ in the sacrifice in a previous post, so we'll leave that for now. The verses after this one in Hebrews speak of how Christ was called to this position of High Priest.

I thought it interesting that God would have me read these passages on the same day, as they go so well together. Christ humbled Himself to complete obedience to all that the Father had and would ask of Him. In His obedience, God called Him to this position of honour. Christ did not petition the Father and tell Him to make Him the High Priest, but was called of God. The position was bestowed on Him, not chosen by Him on His own.

So, how does this apply to our lives? Well, I am sure there are many positions of authority that as Christians we think we would enjoy. However, we are called of God to fulfill His purpose in our lives, not our own. Your pastor has been set in place as God has called Him and put on Him the giftings necessary to exhort and edify. It is a place of honour, as well as one in deparate need of daily prayer as he is constantly in the line of attack from the enemy. There is not a place of honour that exists that we can choose to take hold of. We are to humble ourselves and seek to serve. When and if God chooses to bring us honour, we are to give all the glory back to Him, and continue to serve with humility and grace.

May the Lord lead and guide you today.