THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
Call me "brother," if you will.
Call me "preacher," better still.
Or just plain "minister" fits the bill.
"D.D." to my name does not append;
So "doctor" does no credit lend.
A loving ear to all I bend.
"Brother," "pastor," "minister," "friend,"
But, how my heart does quickly rend,
To one who blithely calls me "Reverend!"
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________SCRIPTURE_____________________________________________________
Ps 111:9
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
KJV
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_______THOUGHT_________________________________________________________
The Hebrew word from which "reverend" (Ps. 119:9 above) is translated is: yare'.
It means to fear, make afraid, or hold in awesome reverence.
God sent "redemption" to "His people" through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Through Jesus, the "covenant" of love, mercy, grace and salvation is "commanded forever."
He lived without sin, and offered His sinless life to atone for man's sins.
Jesus' name is "Holy and Reverend."
However, no other man has, or will, live without sin.
Thus, no man is deserving of the title "Reverend."
The term "reverend," used today, is an Anglicization of the Latin reverendus.
It was, for many years, used passively.
But somehow, it began to be applied as a TITLE.
Yes, we should hold in high esteem those who have surrendered their lives to the ministry.
However, the title "reverend" can only genuinely apply to our Lord.
Let us look upon all mankind through the loving eyes of Christ.
Then, we treat all mankind reverently.
Love ya,
Bruce