What Is My Title?

 

What Is My Title?

- Called to Community -

Written by Zion Clark &

Chibunkem Ahanonu

What is my title? This question is not as simple as it seems. Our lives are not like books where we can know the title by looking at what's written on the cover. But let me slow down a little. Before deep diving into what titles are, let's reflect on the ideas in our previous post, "Who am I in Christ?". 

When it comes to our identity in Christ, we discussed that it's determined by what we carry on the inside. Matthew 5:13-16 talks about our saltiness as servants, our brightness as believers, and our impact as intercessors. See, when God refers to us as salt, He is not talking about the way we taste, or us being petty aka salty lol. He's referring to the impact we make in any situation we are placed in. In other words, God's impact on us should be evident in the way we impact those around us.

And just as salt's functionality isn't limited to its culinary impact, our ability to be used for purpose is immeasurable in the Master's hands. One of those purposes is to shine our light for all to see. But what is this light? It could be anything God has placed in you to illuminate the darkness in this world. You know that little side hustle or hobby that you dabble in here and there... that could be a gift for the Master's use and it would do no good if you keep it hidden. The Lord is calling us to make noise, not keep silent. He is ushering us to shine brightly, not remain dim. The same God that called you to shine bright, is the same God that will give you the strength, power, and might to do so. 

Now that we know who God has called us to be, what is the position He is calling us to? This newly obtained position can be described as our title. But first, I want us to understand what the word "title" even means. The Hebrew definition of "title" refers to a prefix or suffix added to a person's name to indicate an official position or qualification, which can be academic or professional. Although it may not be a literal prefix or suffix, God's attachment to you notifies those around you of your position as a servant of God. Your ability to fulfill this qualification lies in your dedication to the process, from the preparation to the full expression of that promise.

So essentially, our title is what can be used to identify us and set us apart (1 Peter 2:9).

But let's put the Hebrew definitions aside for a minute and look at a practical example. What comes to mind when you think of a title? Maybe you envision the cover of a book, or the "What are we?" question in a relationship. Or maybe you imagine the careers and positions we have acquired throughout our lives. When we examine the definition of "title" from a human standpoint, our minds rush to the tangible, performance-based accomplishments. Although these are all titles, they lack depth. I call these "surface titles". The titles I want us to discuss are deeper and carry more weight.

A title serves to accredit a person or thing. What do I mean by "accredit?" I mean to give credit to. For example, if I spend four years in college studying Computer Science, the goal is to graduate and become a degree holder. The college degree I obtained is accredited by the university where I completed my four years of study. So basically, this extremely overpriced stamped piece of paper called a "diploma" is what gives me the credibility to work in the field of technology. 

Unlike the academic system of this world, God does not require you to complete four years of New/Old Testament training to be accredited for His work. Simply believing in God and being willing to stay the course as his student is enough to put you on the path to credibility. But as we know, the wisdom to fully understand this life will always be in God's words so let's look at what the Bible has to say about titles.

One thing that holds true in God's word is that when a promise is given, a title is discovered. A perfect example of this would be Moses, ya know, the man who God told to lead His people from a place of bondage to a land flowing with milk and honey. Yeah, that guy. But the part I want to pinpoint here is way before he became the leader we all know today. Let's reflect on the time Moses refused to step into his promise. Moses was reluctant to execute God's plan because of his slow speech and just feeling generally unqualified (Exodus 4:10). However, with a few accommodations *cough cough* Aaron, Moses finally accepted his promise and learned to walk in his newly discovered leadership and prophetic title. 

 As you can see, when a promise is released, a title is caught. And there are so many more instances where this holds true. Like when the children of Israel were so rebellious that God put them in Babylonian time-out but still showed them mercy when he promised restoration in Jeremiah 29:10. Turning a land where the people's actions led them into exile back to its original title...The land of Promise. Or the promise of perfect peace in Isaiah 26:3. Or even the promise to never leave us or forsake us that still holds true till today (Hebrews 13:5). But most importantly the promise that was given also had the collaboration of our obedience.

The promise of restoration came with the collaborative effort of actively searching for God (Jeremiah 29: 13). The promise of perfect peace came with the collaborative effort of trust (Isaiah  26:3). And the promise that he will never leave nor forsake us was accompanied with the instruction of honoring God with all aspects of our lives, from relationships to mindsets (Hebrews 13:1-4).

The truth is that these promises are not just meant for us to look at and say "Wow," they are meant to propel us into our own personal promise from and for the Father. The Bible says in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." This means, that if anyone lacks knowledge, let them lean into the embodiment of truth itself and the Book of Knowledge which contains his truth. And as he is also the Promise Keeper, read of the many promises he has made to us and know that he is still in the business of fulfilling them. So, don't just read these scriptures for show-and-tell, receive them, sacrifice with your obedience, and watch as they manifest in every corner of your life! Can I get an Amen!!!

I think we're starting to get it now: our title/identity is rooted in God's promises concerning us. Well, you might be asking, if our title lies within God's promises, then where and when does our "position" come into play? Well, since we already defined titles and discussed promises, let's jump right into the topic of positions. The definition for the word position is a place where someone or something is located or has been put. In this sense, position describes what someone or something is affiliated with or stationed to. When we apply this definition to kingdom principles, we see that our position in Christ means we are affiliated with God's purpose. So, our position is dependent on where God has placed us. Think of where God has placed you in this season of your life. Maybe that looks like a campus ministry, a local church, or a friend in need of God's light. These locations where God has planted you, serve as the workspace for your position.  

Now, if we sum up the concepts of promise, purpose, and position, what would that title be? This Christ-led position would be defined as an ambassador. You already know I had to come back with the definitions. The word ambassador is defined as an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country. So now that you have been accredited to be an ambassador, it's time to go out into the world and spread your wings. Ambassadorship means leaving the location where you are known and entering unfamiliar territory for the sake of the kingdom that sent you. This is why being confident in who you represent is important. People will not listen to your message unless it comes from someone who holds substantial authority over you. For us, that's God. If a person cannot tell on whose authority you speak, what makes you think they will bother to listen. 

Let's look at this from a biblical perspective. Take Abraham for example, He was instructed by God to leave his country, his relatives, and everything that he knew to go to a land that God would show him in Genesis 12:1. Abraham was sent on assignment to represent God in a foreign country. Sound familiar, right? Abraham fits the role of an ambassador so well, that it's almost scary. In the same way that Abraham was commanded to leave everything he knew and become a wanderer in a strange land, we also must leave the things that are familiar to us and walk into unknown territory. What is this territory, you may be asking? Well, it could be that family curse God has called you to face head-on and break. It could be that Muslim friend who you've never shared the gospel with. It could even be that waitress who God just told you to bless with a hundred-dollar tip. I know these don't exactly scream "DIPLOMAT," but they all share qualities of the unknown, uncomfortable, and sometimes, unwanted. Despite this, our job is to follow our Instructor's command even if we don't know where it will lead us to.

Ambassadors must leave in order to lead.

Okay, I know you're going to hate me for this, but let's look at one more definition of an ambassador. The Hebrew word "Luts" appears in 2 Chronicles 32:31 and literally means "interpreter," or someone who has an authorized understanding of their master's mind and policy. Let's jump right into what scripture has to say about this definition. During King Hezekiah's reign, God performed many signs and wonders in the land, and this prompted "ambassadors from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place" (2 Chronicles 32:31). So, the ambassadors in this context were not only given a message from the King of Babylon but were entrusted with the understanding of his mind as well. 

What do I mean by this? The ambassadors from Babylon came to inquire of Hezekiah on the King's behalf for the understanding and interpretation concerning the remarkable occurrences that were happening. If I were to ask you to go and buy me food, you have the understanding that I am hungry. Now, I can feel you thinking "Well that's just common sense." Yes, I know, but let's take it deeper than that. God has not placed us on this earth simply for kicks and giggles. He has a plan for you, plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). But what good are those plans if we cannot decipher them. Now, I'm not saying that God is some trickster who gives us riddles that we can't understand. Far from it. I'm saying that God has an intention for our lives, and if we are not able to interpret that intention and make good use of it, we're toast (figuratively of course). 

Now, I wish I could tell you every plan that God has for you, but as we already know... his ways are not our ways. However, I can tell you what scripture says. We are instructed to "go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Well doesn't that make life a little easier. So, if God is sending us out on a mission to spread His gospel, we need to have an understanding/interpretation of what that gospel entails. That is where the Holy Spirit comes in. In 1 Corinthians 2:12, Paul says, "Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God." Thus, it is the Spirit of God that gives us an understanding of His message so that we can deliver it. This is how we know the mind and policies of God as ambassadors for Christ Jesus. 

Okay, I know that was a lot to take in, but stay with me for just a little longer. I want to leave you with this promise from God, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you” (Isaiah 43:2 CSB). The key here is that you are not being sent by someone who doesn't understand the task at hand. Neither are you being sent by someone who isn't powerful enough to step in, help, or even rescue you if needed. No one said being an ambassador was going to be easy. You will face the waters, but the Lord promises that the waves will not swallow you. You will feel the heat, but God says that the flame will not bruise your skin. As you journey through life with your new title of ambassador, remember that others are bearing the same title. Know that "your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. So stand firm against the devil, and be strong in your faith" (1 Peter 5:9 NLT). The position we hold in Christ is ambassadorship, which comes with many roles and responsibilities. 

So with all of this being said, what are our main takeaways. The title God has given us is hidden in His promises. The moment we receive a promise, we also become candidates for a title. This is the title that ushers you into your position. Are you following? Promise holds your "title" and that title is operable when you are standing firmly in your position.

One of the positions we now hold in Christ is ambassador, and to fall under the category of ambassadorship, we must exit our comfortability and enter His command. This can get messy sometimes, I won't lie. You may find yourself having a lot of awkward conversations and empty pockets, but these temporary sufferings are nothing compared to the salute you'll receive from heaven. This is the assurance we have when we step into unfamiliar situations. We can also place confidence and trust in the mindset and policies of God because he has already ensured that it will lead to an expected end. And through the power of His spirit, we can interpret and walk in the things God has already prepared. So, when walking in this position of ambassadorship, never forget His promises, and always remember your title. 

Reflection Questions

Are you and the Lord in a place where He can give you instructions and you will obey? Do you have a streak of obedience to the Lord?

Think of the thing you are most proud of -

How does it compare to how proud you are of your relationship with God? Which one ranks higher in your heart?