Influence But Not Preeminence

Colossians 1:18: And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

I sometimes think of unbelievers who love to have the preeminence as controllers or control freaks. Until they receive Jesus, they totally reject His preeminence. Sadly there are believers who reject some of Jesus* preeminence and also love to have the preeminence over others. It is a symptom of pride. It short-circuits their relationships, learning, growth and ministries.

3 John 1:9: I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Luke 19:14: But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man (a type of Jesus) to reign over us.

Philippians 2:3: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Author unknown: I*ve learned that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am. If we esteem others better than self we won*t desire to have preeminence over them. We don*t learn anything new from others when we love to have the preeminence.

Mark 10:42-45: But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Proverbs 3:6: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Believers who love to have the preeminence often forego God*s direction in their lives. And, much like unbelievers, they are headed for contention and a fall.

Proverbs 13:10: Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Christians ought to try to influence others without having preeminence. J. Hudson Taylor said that he wanted to influence men by prayer through God. We can have proper influence on others by praying for them, giving them the Word of God, giving them the sense of it, letting the Bible influence them, by loving them, setting in order many proverbs and by our example. You can lead a horse to water but you can*t make him drink.

2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Nehemiah 8:8: So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

Ecclesiastes 12:9: And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

Care to discuss Influence But Not Preeminence with Ron?

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