Don't Seek Teacher Status

James 3:1

1 Let not many {of you} become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. (NAS)

It very well may be that in James’ time as is true in ours, people were vying for being teachers of the brethren. In other words too many wanted to be chiefs and not enough were content to be the Indians.

James is trying to discourage this, I believe. He gives the reason-a very good one I might add-that he who is a teacher is responsible for much more than the person who is the student. Even though Jesus encourages us to be the student who is like his master, the important point James is trying to make is-don’t jump for more responsibility because it makes you feel important. James is trying to make us aware that the higher up the rung you go with a position, the more responsibility there is that goes with it. With that added responsibility comes a stricter judgment when the person fails to meet his obligations. And so it should be.

Let’s stop and think about Moses’ personal experience. Here he was the leader, to lead the people-about 2 million of them-to the promised land from Egypt, and he lost his temper with the people one time and as a result, also disobeyed God. I think his own ego got the best of him that time. For Moses had the responsibility to be a spokesman and representative of God. He had no business letting his aggravation with the people get the best of him. And he was identifying himself with God in the bargain. So God had to come down hard on him punishment wise.

If you read the event in Numbers 20:1-13, you see what happened.

What is common today? People in high places get away with things-this is true of the world. There are so often folks who are either heroes in the eyes of the public or who have held high positions in government who are never truly brought to account for the wrong they have done. Instead it is like they have had their hand slapped, people saying naughty, naughty, and never really making the guilty ones pay for their crimes. Judges and juries make this mistake quite frequently in the world, figuring that if you are a public enough figure, you should not experience the same consequences as the ditch digger down the street would or the garbage collector. The little guy gets the book thrown at him and off he goes to prison, but the rich public figure, whether he be in sports, government, or high finance gets off with equivalent to the slap of the hand. James makes it clear that in the body of Christ, that is not the way it is. The teacher who has a higher position in the church than the lay person is going to be held much more accountable than the student. Jesus himself said that the one who knows more is accountable for more.

Luke 12:48

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (KJV)

Jesus also said

Matt 23:8

8 "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. (NKJ)

This shows us that Jesus did not want people concerning themselves with position. Nor to consider someone actually above the other.

So you see, if God has called you to be a teacher, then expect that He will expect much more of you than the one not given that responsibility.

I look at our society today and notice that so many people are so eager for position and not realizing that with position comes responsibility. It is almost they only see the glamour, and want to ignore the nuts and bolts of what they are responsible for. James must have seen the same thing in his society in his day so he knew to address the subject.

Human nature hasn’t changed, folks. It is just like it was when mankind first started sinning and kept at it. Aren’t you glad Jesus was sent to us to redeem us from that curse of sin? I sure am.

That's it for today, folks.  God bless.  The Good News Lady