Barnabas Ministries UK

                                   Rev. K. W. Munday

WORD STUDIES

Word Studies is presented by Rev. K. W. Munday, retired minister and former General Secretary of Assemblies of God for many years. He has served the body of Christ with grace and distinction, is an excellent, quality preacher and speaker, broadcaster, writer of books and still active in Christian service. His contributions here on Word Studies should prove a great means of blessing, inspiration and instruction.

 STATUS

Status stands for the state or social position of a person. It can define the marital relationship, ie married, single divorced or widowed etc. But it is also used on the larger scale as in the military (Colonel etc). business world (Executive Director) or the reward of a Knighthood. In the medical world you have the consultants, surgeons and sisters etc. All of which define their standing, duties and qualifications.

The designations are useful in society. When we have to deal with them we know the level of their authority and can act accordingly. Where they are carrying out their duties efficiently, we should respect them, but of course we do run across those who are fraudulent. From time to time we hear of folk posing as doctors who have no right to do so. They got in with false papers and even worked on the wards treating patients until they were found out. It has happened too with the Police and some in the educational world who were found out to have held bogus degrees.

The reason for fraud is because status is desirable and respected. It enhances the ego, opens the door to new opportunities and obtains favours. If your status is somewhere near the top then you really are somebody! The dishonest however have to contently live with the fact that at any time they might get rumbled, which is not good for the peace of mind. They also learn that the higher you climb the greater can be the fall.

There is a story of a servant who was preparing for a special banquet and was worried about where to place the guests. He consulted with the host and received this reply, ‘”those who worry about where they sit don’t matter, and those who really matter don’t worry!” There is something delightful about distinguished people who have a sense of modesty. I was once at the House of Commons with a few people waiting to see our M.P. Next to me was a gentleman with whom I had conversation. He was very friendly, told me about me about his family and asked me about mine. After he left us I was told that he was the Duke of Norfolk. “People who matter don’t worry”” How true1

 I think the biggest surprise when it comes to the status stakes is found in the biography of Jesus. Being Who He was He could have pulled rank every time, but although He was the most famous to walk this planet He deliberately avoided status. Rome was the at the zenith of its power when he appeared, but He was born a Jew, and they were a despised nation pushed around by all the great powers. He was not born in a palace but a borrowed stable. A silver spoon in His mouth? No sir, he became a manual worker in a carpenter’s shop. It says He was rich, but for our sakes became poor.

It is a strong Biblical principle hat when one accepts their present status with humility they will be exalted. Jesus advised folk attending a fest to take the lowest seat, then they will be invited to ‘come up higher’. So the status of Jesus changed tremendously. After His life of obedience He was exalted above all and given a Name which is above every name; and the principles doesn’t end there. If we humbly accept our state as sinners and seek forgiveness, then according to John 1: 12 we becomes children of God. What a change of status!