Understanding the Significance of the First and Last in the Word of God 4-30-26

No Big I’s and little you’s in God's church

So, the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen (Matthew 20:16). This refers to the obedience of those who God called to salvation to rule and reign in His Kingdom.  Many are called to salvation, but few are chosen to rule and reign (Matthew 25:14-30).

What does this mean?

Those who fulfilled God’s purpose for their lives will rule and reign. Some chose not to walk in obedience. A few things could have caused it: They buried their gifts (didn’t use what God gave them), or they could have chosen to function in something they were not called to do (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

Back to who is first and who is last: The Jews were God’s special treasure: Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine (Exodus 19:5), but most of them rejected Christ and because of that, the church became first and the Jews are last. Now we are God’s workmanship (masterpiece)- (Ephesians 2:10). We (church) are the bride of Christ and there is no distinction; we are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). God does not have respect of people (Romans 2:11), therefore no one person is more important than the other.

People of God who add titles to their names are carnal and immature. If one knows who they are in Christ, they understand it’s not about them and their titles. I wrote about titles before but this time the Spirit prompted me to write about this so called title of, “First family” and “First lady.” The bottom line is this, the church has taken on some ways of the world.

Up until about twenty five years ago, you never heard the pastor’s wife called “First lady” Depending on her age, she was either Sister So and So, or Mother So and So.

What’s wrong with all of using our given names? I was led by the Spirit to take evangelist off the from of my name; my gifts certainly speak for themselves. In other words, to those who understand the gifts recognize my calling.

Notice, that Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God (Corinthians 1:1), an apostle of God not of men (Galatians 1:1), an apostle of God by the will of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:1) and Peter (1 Peter 1:1) greeted the church in their letters as an apostle of Jesus Christ, of called be an apostle. They never used apostle as a title because they functioned in the office of apostle. Notice that they said an apostle instead of saying Apostle Paul or Apostle Peter.

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;  and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you (2 Peter 3:15).

The Lord wants the eyes of His people to be open to His truth and humbly stop using something that doesn’t belong to them. If anyone needs certain ID’s, would they add the prefix to their name? One cannot get a Real ID unless they use the name given to them at birth. Why not identify ourselves as children of God with our name given at birth.

Jesus criticized the pharisees about tiles- which meant they wanted recognition, to be looked up to. He also warned them not to elevate each other with their titles. The focus is always to elevate God and not oneself (Matthew, chapter 23).

Merriam-Webster - FIRST is preceding all others in time, order, or importance. That word should not be used in the body of Christ unless it is referring the church, God’s special people.

God is FIRST and HE is the only one to be given that respect and honor. There was and is none before Him and there was and never will be any after Him. That is the unadulterated (complete and absolute) truth!

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org