The One Command

Do you know the “One Command” which applies for both the human Creation & the Church? It is also the “First” command in the Bible. Of sure, it precedes the famous “Ten Commandments.” This “One Command” even runs through the whole Bible from the beginning to the end. This first and one command was to “be fruitful and to multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Importantly, this command succeeds the verse which says that both Adam and Eve were created in the image of God (v.27).  It is therefore clear that the earth has to be filled not merely with humans but humans in the image of God. 

The aspect of God's image in Adam and Eve is evident in the way they were associated with the Creator God in the Garden of Eden in a personal way. But when sin entered into the lives of Adam & Eve, they ran away from God and the image of God in them became marred. God had then agents like Noah, Abraham and many more through whom He gave and acted upon His promises of restoring and blessing the fallen human beings. He then chose the nation “Israel” as His agent and through the ups and down of her history was telling her and the other nations about a God who can restore nations.

In an appropriate time in history, Jesus, the incarnate God Himself came and discipled a handful to whom He gave the “Great Commission” commanding them to make further disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).  After Jesus ascended to heaven, Holy spirit, the third person of the Trinity came upon the believers of the Saviour-God. Again the commission of the Holy Spirit was the same. The primary purpose in the dwelling of Holy Spirit in a person is to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The members of the early church witnessed the God of the Bible to the then ends of the earth.

Now, it is “we” all who have been restored to the image of God, who are commissioned to carry the gospel. There are many people today who never have heard the “Good News” of the Bible even once in their lives. There are people both in our near and far geographical and cultural contexts whose spiritual images are still marred. They do not know their Creator and Saviour God. The commission is on His church, consisting of people who bear His image to plunge into discipling people and communities in the near and farthest corners of the world. The commission in the first page of the Bible to fill this earth with humans restored to His image, still remains the same. By fulfilling His command we can contribute our share to the great multitudes in Heaven (Revelation 7:9). In heaven, we will be “like Him”, all in the image of God. We will be with Him forever.

The question: Am I obeying the “One Command” of the Bible? What changes have to be made in me, my church to follow this over arching command of the Bible?

Who is a Good Teacher?

I have been in many “Teachers Day” celebrations in Bible colleges over the years. I have enjoyed and cherished the greetings of my students. However the question I have to honestly answer is: “Am I a good teacher?” I have attempted here to derive the traits of true teachers from Matthew chapter 23 which I found useful enough for sharing.

1.     Good teachers are models

Jesus starts off with a shocking note asking his followers to obey the teachers who teach authoritatively from the Scriptures, but not to "do" what some teachers “do” because they teach what they themselves do not practice (v.1-3). I have sometimes had struggles to understand the counsel of people in authority who say “good” things, which they themselves do not follow. Such hurts should only lead us not to do the same mistake in our own lives. Did not Ezra devote himself to observe the law of the Lord, before he ventured to teach? (Ezra 7:10) Jesus, the best ever teacher, never taught anything which he did not model.

2.     Good teachers are servants

 Good teachers will not lay heavy loads on students alone. They would rather give a helping hand in carrying the loads of their students/disciples (v. 4) Jesus wants teachers to be servants to students. It sounds silly. But the secular world today has recognized the value of the “servant leadership” style Jesus taught and modeled.  It is worth following it. The early apostles were admonished not to put heavy yoke on their disciples (Acts 15:10). Jesus, a teacher himself offers not to burden his disciples but promises them to give rest (Matthew 11:28).  The greatest in God’s sight is a servant-teacher willing to help (v. 11 ).

3.     Good teachers will not be attention-seeking

The Pharisees and teachers of law of that time were proud and seeking attention from people. They took pleasure in titles (v. 5-7). Even today titles like “Dr.& Rev.” are sold for money for such “seekers of titles.” We should know that even while we live in this world, honor comes to the humble (v.12). Even otherwise, it is sensible and right to seek our recognition from God who offers to call the diligent worker as “a good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) in a life that is everlasting!

4.       Good teachers know their goal

Bible teachers are true guides and they will lead students/disciples to eternal life. They will mould them as sons and daughters of the living God.  Even evangelistic zeal, like how the pharisees had, of some teachers amounts to nothing if they are stumbling blocks to their students by their wrong modelling (v.15). They are blind guides because those who follow them cannot reach their heavenly destination. Jesus says that such teachers cannot escape their sentence to hell (v.33). Jesus spells a lot of words in condemning the legalistic, hypocritic and sinful lives of wrong teachers in verses 16-33.

5.     Good teachers hold to “head” issues

The focus of the Pharisees and teachers of the law was not on the head of the matters like: justice, mercy and faithfulness, but on tail issues like tithes. They preferred gold in place of temple, gift in place of altar. They strained the gnat (the smallest unclean creature) and swallowed camels. Observing any law minus love equals legalism. Giving tithe out of love for God is different from: “If I give tithe, God will bless me!” Jesus also compared the hypocritic teachers to white washed tombs. A hypocrite appears clean only from the outside. No wonder Jesus condemned the false teachers as hypocrites, snakes and a brood of vipers (v. 16-33). Teachers of tail issues therefore need to take time to clean the dirt that is inside of them. Good teachers will hold to head issues and model them in their lives.

A word of caution: Not many of you should presume to be teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:10). 

The message is not that the Bible discourages “teachers” but it cautions them and encourages them to be “good teachers.” Praying that God would increase the tribe of good teachers. I want to be one of them!