| by Nathaniel Burson (Big Sandy, Texas) |
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| Why does the whole world insist on this custom? Is this the way of showing true respect to an elder? Should YOU use the term “Mr.”? What does your BIBLE say? Christ tells you NOT to be called Master, or Mister. And yet what are we called upon to do, even in the Church of God, dozens, perhaps hundreds, of times a day? Many say, “well, it is just a sign of respect. Children, in particular, should show respect to their elders.” And the Bible FULLY agrees that they should show respect! But HOW does it say to show them this respect? By adding a flattering title. No! Leviticus 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. The bible says a youth should show TRUE respect to an elder by JUMPING to give an elder a seat. By RUNNING to help an elder, without being asked. This is part of TRUE respect. Job 32:4 …Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. THIS is another example of how a younger person TRULY HONORS his elders. Elihu waited until all his elders had finished speaking. He gave DEFERENCE to their opinions, he RESPECTED them by not spewing his own opinions, but by HEARING theirs first! This is the PLACE of a younger man in presence of his elders! THIS is the TRUE meaning of respect, not as the traditions of MEN define it, but as YOUR BIBLE defines it! Psalms 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. HOW do you show respect to a commandment? Certainly not by giving it a fancy name, but by DOING what it wants, by giving it your CONSIDERATION, and by OBEYING it! EXACTLY how a younger should treat an elder! But giving a title like Mister to someone does NOT show any extra respect, as the Bible defines it! It DOES, however, put YOU in danger! Yes, by calling someone Mr. Jones, YOU are breaking God’s Commandment! Matthew 23:8-10 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. Elihu, a wonderful BIBLICAL example of someone who UNDERSTOOD HOW to show TRUE respect to his elders, KNEW he dared not call someone by a fancy title. Job was the GREATEST man in all the east, and worthy of GREAT respect, but WHAT did Elihu say? Job 32:21-33:1 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give FLATTERING TITLES unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away. Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. He KNEW Job expected a title, because Job himself said that PRINCES were silenced by his presence! So Elihu explained why he would not give him a flattering title, and said “Wherefore, Job…” Not Mr. Job, not Sir Job, but just plain Job! So, what should you do? Should you follow the conventions of men? NO! SHOW RESPECT TO THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, BY SHOWING RESPECT AS HE DEFINES IT, NOT BY GIVING A FLATTERING TITLE TO A MAN! |
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