There are several basic, ground rules in proper Bible interpretation that must be followed by all persons now  before anyone even attempts to fully study the Holy Scripture. Here are a few important ones.

The first rule is pray and ask the Holy spirit to guide you, to teach you.. not rather self, mere men or women.. we should seek first and not last the Holy Spirit for illumination. The Holy Spirit wants to share the treasures of God's Word with those who rightfully do esteem Him. The most important principle to remember in studying God's Word is that it can only be understood with the help of the Holy Spirit.  Those who approach the Bible without the Holy Spirit to teach them, may gain some insight into truths, their lives, but also  will receive no definite, permanent, important life-changing revelation.  Bible Commentaries should be used only very sparingly if at  all. Even the most anointed man or woman, preacher  of God clearly still can be wrong, biased, have a hidden agenda, limited, (or just shallow) in their understanding or interpretation of certain Bible topics, subjects. Do not believe any man or women, rather solely Take God's word for it.

"A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth" (Proverbs 14:6)

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you." (John 16:13-14).

"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:10-14).

Interpretation of the Scripture should also be done in the light of certain basic principles of Bible interpretations. Thus an other important golden rule is: "In what sense am I interpreting a particular verse?" Is it to be taken literally, or figuratively, or is it a parable? For more on this please read "The Senses of Scripture", elsewhere on this website.  We must also interpret any scripture by other scriptures. This means, that by referring to other Bible verses about the same subject, that next we can get a more complete picture of that subject.

The next important related rule is: "Context, context, context." Never take one verse out of context in order to try to "prove" a point. This is the one rule that is broken most often   "A text taken out of contest is a pretext, and nothing more". Verses taken out of context can be made to look like what the detractor is trying to "prove". Remember this axiom, "A text without a context is a pretext".

The Golden Law,  Rule of Bible Interpretation is to DO A WORD STUDY,  firstly define each of the specific words used and it also includes the following: WHEN THE PLAIN SENSE OF SCRIPTURE MAKES COMMON SENSE, SEEK NO OTHER SENSE; THEREFORE, TAKE EVERY WORD AT ITS PRIMARY, ORDINARY, USUAL, LITERAL MEANING UNLESS THE FACTS OF THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT, STUDIED IN THE LIGHT OF ALL RELATED PASSAGES, REFERENCES  AND AXIOMATIC AND FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS INDICATE CLEARLY OTHERWISE.  A good Bible concordance from a vlaid transaltion too  is a great help in studying the Bible, and a very   important tool.  (A concordance is a listing of where all the same words appear throughout the Bible.  For instance, if you wanted to study the topic of "wisdom" or "sin" you would also now refer to your Bible  concordance and find also every verse where that word or phrase is listed in the Bible).   

"Let us use the incident in Acts 4:18-20 as an example of how to use scripture to interpret scripture where there seems to be a contradiction:  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.  This scripture describes the day when the council of elders in Jerusalem, which had authority over all religious matters, ordered Peter and John not to speak any more of Jesus or of the things He had done. The apostles knew the Old Testament writings told them to submit to authority. Yet, we find them saying they have to speak about the things they saw and heard to be right in the sight of God!  Looking at 1 Peter 2:13-15, it also seems to contradict what Peter and John did that day in Jerusalem.  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.  From reading the above verses, it would appear that the Bible contradicts itself. However, as we study the rest of Scripture, we see that Peter's instructions in his first epistle do not really contradict his actions as recorded in Acts. We find from the rest of the Bible there are limitations to submission to earthly authority. We will find that we are not to obey earthly authority, civil or religious, if it contradicts God's authority, which is supreme over all other authority (Colossians 1:16-18).  -- Words spoken by Jesus and later recorded in Matthew 22:36-38, which told them to love the Lord above all things and all people. Along with that were Old Testament admonitions that the apostles knew well, which said that, if someone loves God, he will obey Him.
-- Peter's words in Acts 5:29-33, where it is recorded that he told the authorities that they "...ought to obey God rather than men."-- The words of Gamaliel, one of the religious authorities presiding at the hearing, when the apostles continued preaching about Jesus. The wise priest and scholar said the men should be left alone, because if something is of God, it will stand (Acts 5:38,39). (In other words, if what Peter and John were saying was not of God, it would not last, but would die out).""

 The next also similarly  important  rule is   "The Law of First Mention." When something is mentioned in Scripture the first time, the same meaning for that verse holds true for subsequent verses. An example of this law is in Genesis 17:5, where GOD gave authority to Abram by changing his name to Abraham, and making him "The Father of a Multitude of Nations".  Next is in Genesis 17:15-16, where GOD gave authority to Sarai, by changing her name to Sarah, and making her "The Mother of all Nations".  Then there is Matthew 16:18. GOD changed the name of Simon to Peter, and gave to him a basic role to look after  the Church of God , and not a false supremacy over all of the other Apostles. The "Law of First Mention" functions here, to show the redefined role that is given when the persons name was changed by GOD. And always watch out for the too many persons even in the ministry  who distort, mislead, add to the word of God that which was not specially said.

The "law of first-mention" is the principle in the interpretation of Scripture which states that the first mention or occurrence of a subject in Scripture establishes an unchangeable pattern, with that subject remaining unchanged in the mind of God throughout Scripture. This law or the rule of   the first mention of something in the Scriptures, the Bible  is now especially significant and sets the stage for how it is to be understood in the rest of the Word. There naturally is  special significance, defining moment  with how something is introduced in the Word! will serve as an unfailing guide as to the actual mind of God as contained therein. The first mention of a thing, the very first words of any subject of which the Holy Spirit is going to treat, is the keystone of the whole matter.  To carry the maximum significance, the first mention should be where possible now even traced to the Book of Origins itself - Genesis. However it is still should be sued a with a more detailed word study in the Bible, can be wrong try to use this principle  to deviate or also now to    applied solely  this fact of   initial isolation without the  confirming additional references in the the rest of Scripture, thus next to even try to to give clearly any false,  distorted emphasis to the  verse of first mention, and to make it mean something that is not substantiated borne out also  by all of the progressive revelation of Scripture in details on this subject.

The law of first mention may be said to be the principle that requires one to go to that portion of the Scriptures where even a doctrine is first mentioned for the first time and to study the first occurrence of the same in order to get the fundamental, consistent  inherent latter meaning of that doctrine. When we thus see the first appearance, which is usually in the simplest form, we can then examine the doctrine in other portions of the Word that were given later as well. We shall see that the fundamental concept in the first occurrence remains dominant as a rule, and colors all later additions to that same doctrine. In view of this fact, it becomes imperative that we understand the law of first mention. The book of Genesis has Properly been called the "seed-plot" or  "pilot series" of the Bible. The word, Genesis, comes from the Greek expression which in its verbal form means to begin, or, to come into existence. This first book of the revelation of God is properly called, therefore,  "the book of beginnings." Man himself is not the center of the universe, the Bible, but God rather is. The devil who likes to distort the scripture tries to hide these laws existence too.

"Every major doctrine in the Bible can be found in the first twelve chapters of this book it seems With this in mind, consider the first reference to a vineyard and wine found in Gen. 9:20-23. Not a pretty sight with Noah and Ham. The third reference is with Lot and the incestuous relationship with his daughters in a drunken condition found in Gen. 19:32-36. The fourth reference is when Jacob brought food and wine to his father Isaac as he deceived him into giving him the blessing found in Gen. 27:25. The "Law of First Mention" would indicate that God is telling us that wine and alcoholic beverages are not a good thing for His children.  The English language, while rich in many areas is weak in the area of the word "wine." There are 10 Hebrew words that are generally translated into the English word for wine. Some reference simple grape juice and some reference intoxicating beverage. Of those, 7 are negative or adverse in their usage in reference to an intoxicating usage of wine. You will find the same ratio in the five Greek words. The word "wine" is referenced 212 times in the Old Testament. A survey of these usages done by Richard Degler, a man that I am currently discipling indicates that 92% of those references are "negative" in context. This doesn't even consider the use of the words "strong drink." My first Pastor, Dr. David Earnhart used to give us a method by which to make decisions. He said that we should state the question and then make three categorical headings on a sheet of paper. Under one list all the good things about this course of action. Under the second, list all the bad ramifications. Under the third, list the "don't care" issues. The resultant list can help us get a big picture on the best course of action. Apply this approach to all the references to "wine" in the Bible. God is telling us something. Are we listening? " "Prov. 23. Starting in verse 21 and through the end of the chapter you can find the "12 Woes of Alcohol, Alcoholic wine" including: poverty, woe, babbling, contentions, sorrow, wounds, redness of eyes, spouse problems, mouth control problems, judgment problems and addiction problems."

As per the Bible still too there  three classifications of people in the Bible related to their alcoholic wine usage, and specific instructions was given to them regarding the usage of intoxicating beverages. "First, you have the religious leaders, who were told to abstain Num. 6:1-3; Luke 1:15). Second, you have the secular authorities, who were told to abstain (Prov. 31:4). Third, you have bishops (pastors) in the New Testament who were "not given to wine." (1 Tim. 3:3). I will comment on 1 Tim. 3:3 in the next point. This would indicate that the more authority you had or the closer you got to God, the further you would get from alcoholic beverages. " "For religious and secular leaders, I rightfully do believe we all  can make also  Biblical case for it's abstinence."

Messianic predictions "The first prophecy recorded in Scripture supplies the key to the whole subject of Messianic prediction, furnishing a remarkable outline and forecast of all that was to follow. Said the Lord God to the serpent, " And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Gen. 3: 15) First, it is to be noted that those words were not addressed to Adam and Eve, implying that man alone was not the immediate party in the covenant of recovery; that it depended not upon anything of, by, or from him solely"

Replenish the earth.. "For example, you need to understand the problem of sin and the fall of man in Adam, if you are to appreciate forgiveness and our redemption in Christ. We see that God's commission to the Church is fundamentally the same as his commission to Adam - to go out into all the world and fill it with people in the image of God who will represent the Kingdom rule of God on the earth just as it is in heaven. God does not have many plans for this world, but one eternal unchanging plan. That is why origins are important, because what God purposed from the beginning is exactly what he will accomplish at the end."

Stars- "For example, in Revelation 12:4, Satan is described as being cast out of Heaven with a third part of the "stars" going with him. To understand what this means, let us first apply the "law of first mention." Going to the concordance, we find the word stars first mentioned in the book of Revelation in Revelation 1:20. We see in that verse the interpretation for stars is "also now angels, or messengers of God.""

The laws of usage, context , the principle of first mention also now is just one of many personal tools we have in understanding and getting honest understandings the most out of the Scriptures. Used correctly it can help frame our understanding of all of the Biblical themes. Misused it can distort doctrines, verses beyond what was ever intended as well. One example  is when some persons till do they say we have to all have to compulsory tithe today to the temple, local church, local store house  even because of the law of first mention, or saying that we are still under all of the Old covenant Mosaic laws and this is . a very classic misuse..

Another principle of interpretation  is to also try to establish any fact or truths in the mouth of at least two or three different Biblical references, witnesses in referring to a Scripture doctrine. This means there should be at least two or three scriptures verifying most  doctrine, or Biblical principle (Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28). It generally takes more than one scripture to prove a doctrine, a point, or a principle. There are essential doctrines with only one reference in the Bible also.

Often, Biblical passages will have more than one meaning--a literal meaning or fulfillment, as well as a personally applicable one, spiritual one.  We should seek the Lord for the full Holy Spirit revelation on any particular Bible passage

 And "You must take into account the meaning of the words, in the Bible context solely as defined  written by the Holy spirit inspired authors , and not wrongfully use any of the the present English dictionary definitions, or even any of the newer Bible translation of them today." We all do know that the word gay has deviated in it's original English Bible usage,  meaning now too for example.

Even our professing Canadian Christian Evangelical prime Minister Stephen Harper, and others, still should  note that these are basic, ground rules in proper Bible interpretation that must be followed before anyone even attempts to fully study, apply  the Holy Scripture even related to consuming much too many Alcoholic beverages now too? He personally and falsely, undeniably  loves his alcoholic  wine, beer much too much still too?

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shall preserve them from this generation for ever.

...Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name" (Psalms 12:6,7; 138:2).

Jeremiah: " ...I will hasten my word to perform it" (Jeremiah 1:12).

The Apostle John: "The scripture cannot be broken...Thy word is truth" (John 10:35; 17:17).

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).

 In addition to the Bible itself, we can and should also occassionaly use and appreciate the writings and works of some of godly men and women throughout history. They were raised up by God to teach others the knowledge of His Word and to lead others in faith (Ephesians 4:11-15; 2 Timothy 2:2).

WE ALL DO NEED to have a right attitudes EVEN to all of leaders, pastors, elders too, and they have to lead by a good personal example too.

-- We should not exalt spiritual leaders as persons,

-- We should not put them above God.

-- We should not expect them to do our praying for us.

-- We should not expect them to make FINAL decisions for us. Check out any counsel with the Word, and remember that we are individually accountable to God for our personal choices and decisions. and we should not take their counsel as God's final Word.

-- We should not refuse all of a teaching or all of their advice simply because it is not possible to agree with part of it. We should accept what is right and throw out the rest--if we know it is not right. However, if the part we cannot accept is something ee may not yet understand, then we would be wise to lay it aside for the time being and study to understand it.

-- We should not have an unteachable spirit so that truth cannot be received when it comes in different teaching or preaching styles

-- We should still not accept a teaching if it does not glorify Jesus and His kingdom. However, a "hard word" that glorifies God and His Word can be God's correction to us, when it is motivated by love for us. Test also  the spirit (attitude) of the person delivering that word.

 Review,  the valid principles for interpreting the Bible are:

1. Let Scripture interpret Scripture.
2. TRY TO Prove an interpretation also in the mouth of two or three witnesses.
3. Find the first time a certain subject is mentioned in Scripture and study that for its fuller meaning (the law of first mention).
4. Take the Bible literally wherever possible and as it makes sense. Consider it from the standpoint of God's power, ability, and character AND NOT YOUR OWN
5. continue TO Gain familiarity with the Bible as a whole. In other words, get to know the "forest," not just what some individual "trees" look like.
6. unacceptably STILL D o not handle the Word of God deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:2). In other words, we should not make it say just what we want it to or what someone else has told us it says.

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David" (Isaiah 55:1-3).

"O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:97-104).

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it"  (Matthew 13:45-46).

Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter too still  clearly were always still servants now.. and mutually submissive to all others. They had  preached the truth, but they also had lived it..

 

Note personally all of these still  important words, assertive, submissive, and the degree of.. and the quantity of assertiveness, submissiveness  = degree of skills in leadership in leading, doing, talking, listening

 

Overly submissive or overly assertive? are still not a balanced life

 

Aggressive = being Assertive without love..

Slave= Forced submission

 

Relationship- Master, slave or equal= friend, Brother and/or sister?

 

These worfds, terms do all applies to all persons, pastors, elders, teachers in the Church today now too..

 

Effective Christian servanthood can manifest itself in our daily lives only if we are willing to lead by serving, by real personal example.

 

Christian Servanthood in the Bible is shown through numerous examples of both women and men, both in the Bible and in the church's history; people such as Dorcas who sewed garments for the poor.

 

We are all called to be servants! Well, what does a good servant do? He (or she) carries out the will of his master, Jesus Christ. A servant doesn’t tell his master what to do — he performs whatever tasks the master requests of him. A servant doesn’t choose what days or times it’s most convenient to serve his master. A servant’s function is simply to follow and obey his master’s instructions. A servant does not develop goals, directions for the master either. The master is the one with the instructions — and he wants his servants to be ready and available to carry out his will and to bring it to fruition.

 

We also still always need to become lowly, meek and humble. Servanthood in the Bible meant putting others before oneself no matter what. At no time did Christ proclaim himself better than anyone else."Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who...made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:3-5,7).

Scripture warns us, in the most unambiguous terms, that God hates pride in every form and expression.

Proverbs:

• 6:17—A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood
• 8:13—The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
• 11:2—[When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom.
• 13:10—Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom.
• 14:3—In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
• 15:25—The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
• 16:5—Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
• 16:18—Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
• 16:19—Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
• 21:4—An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
• 21:24—Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
• 28:25—He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD
• 29:23—A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Christ reinforced this luminous teaching of the Old Testament on three different occasions when He declared that “He who exalts himself will be abased, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 13:12; Luke 14:11, 18:14). The Holy Spirit inspired other New Testament authors as well to warn God’s people of this deadly and seductive sin. James 4:6: “...Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”

As God’s servants we should have no other agenda, except to do His will.

 

Matthew 5:33, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" 

James 4:17 (NIV) Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

James 1:27 (NRSV) Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

 

(Luke 6:33 KJV)  And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

 

(Luke 6:34 KJV)  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

 

(Luke 6:35 KJV)  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

 

(Luke 6:36 KJV)  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

(Prov 19:17 NKJV) "He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given."

(Prov 21:13 NKJV) "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard."

(Prov 22:9 NKJV) "He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor."

(Prov 22:16 NKJV) "He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty."

(Mark 10:21 NKJV) "Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.""

(Gal 2:10 NKJV) "They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do."

(James 2:2-4 NKJV) "For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, {3} and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," {4} have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?"

(James 2:5 NKJV) "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?"

(James 1:5 KJV)  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

(Gal 6:10 KJV)  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Rom 12:6-8 (NRSV) We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

(Mark 10:44-45 NNAS) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

(Rom 12:8 NIV) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

(2 Cor 9:7 NNAS) Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

(Mat 11:29-30 NNAS) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

John 13:12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (NIV)

Mat. 20:20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 "What is your request?" he asked. She replied, "In your Kingdom, will you let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one at your right and the other at your left?" 22 But Jesus told them, "You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?" "Oh yes," they replied, "we are able!" 23 "You will indeed drink from it," he told them. "But I have no right to say who will sit on the thrones next to mine. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen." 24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. 26 But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. 28 For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." (NIV)

Funny how many men expect all of the women to be servants solely, and too often.  All Christians, even the so called leaders, now, today are called to be servants, serving each other, following Jesus' example in washing his disciples' feet, and loving our neighbours as ourselves. This will require us also to set aside personal gain,  to make sacrifices, and to put the needs of others above the direction we may prefer for ourselves. You've probably met people who are highly career minded, the same people who's main motivation is to get themselves in a position where they will get rich, important, famous, recognized,   This is the complete opposite of the leadership Jesus demonstrated. The devil knows how to make us unbalanced so our full godly ministry effective will suffer..

How balanced is your own Christian life? Are you a slave? or are you an aggressor?  also are you deep in Bible study, but have a terrible prayer life? lack real quiet time or too busy in fellowship and/or serving time. How consistent is your real walk with Christ? Does it fluctuate from day to day, week to week or moment by moment?  spiritual or carnal?   Examine YOURSELF DAILY too with the Bible.

 

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