[195]. Message From A Poem – Not In Degrees Or Pedigrees But On Your Knees

[195]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – NOT IN DEGREES OR PEDIGREES BUT ON YOUR KNEES

One thing that used to frustrate me in teaching was to see really good teachers who did not get recognition because they did not have a string of degrees. The Education Department thinks the more qualifications, the better the teacher, but that is humanism speaking. In fact I will say emphatically that the best teachers in the classroom were those who did not come with a string of degrees. I have called that state of listed degrees, “pedigrees”.

It is the standard in this world to require degrees for almost anything in these days. I understand the true relevance of degrees in science and medicine and things similar to that.

Now we come to a real matter of unease for me. Who was Peter? He was a fisherman. Who was Matthew? He collected taxes. These disciples turned the world around and I think it is safe to say none of them had pedigrees or learning or degrees from prestigious Pharisaic Training Colleges.

I know men are dismissed from consideration for ministry in churches because they have not had theological degrees, or denominational accreditation which means doing all the courses required by the Denomination. Again I ask, “Did any of the disciples have those things?”

Don’t tell me our days are different! Jesus is the same! The Holy Spirit is unchanged! The greatest Christians are ones you don’t even know, humble men and women, very effective, yet fully accredited by the Holy Spirit in the work of ministry.

It upsets me when I hear in churches about men set aside because they have “Not had theological training,” and are shown the door because they are thought of as incompetent or ill-equipped.

Just in case you are wondering, “Is he speaking of himself?” That is easily answered. I have never sought a church position or appointment. I have done some Bible College study especially in Greek but my qualifications come from this – {{2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth”}} (Being a teacher before retirement has helped.)

We are workmen who ought to study and be engrossed in the word of God. That is the absolute secret. A string of theological degrees does not make you competent in spiritual things. Some of the most highly degreed men in theology and all other disciplines, are among the most liberal. They are puffed up. Some like to flaunt their degrees and keep adding D.D. and PhD and D.Theol, D.Min, and so much more.

If Peter ever came along to some of the posh churches and was asked for his qualification and experience, he would say, “I know how to catch fish!” He would be dismissed immediately. Even if he said to the Church Board, “I have been with Jesus,” they would say dismissively, “Well that is all good but what theological training have you had, and your qualifications?”

One of the reasons behind this poem is “Christian experts”. These are those who lord it over the children of God because they have position and they have degrees so they know it all. They have descended from the Pharisees. Denominational pride is wicked when you sit in the seat of elevation.

From my later teen years I read many good books on doctrine and theology and loved absolutely really sound bible commentaries, and studied the scriptures because God gave me a love for it. In my opinion that trumps all degrees. Please do not misunderstand this – I am not degrading the value of genuine study for theological degrees, BUT they are the lesser of the requirement for Christian service. THIS IS THE TRUE REQUIREMENT –

{{Acts 4:13 “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marvelling, and began to recognise them AS HAVING BEEN WITH JESUS.”}}

Highly degreed men are in danger of being influenced by the wisdom of the world and Paul warns against that in Corinthians –

{{1 Corinthians 2:4-8 “and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature, a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away, but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory - the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood, for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory”}}

Any way, let’s get to the poem. I deal with those who think they are clever because thy have one pedigree or another. These are the know-alls of Christian profession.

Please consider the poem carefully, and note the last 4 lines when you get to them.

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NOT IN DEGREES OR PEDIGREES BUT ON YOUR KNEES

The measure of a Christian, is not what he might know,

But in godly behaviour, his normal life will show.

Don’t talk to me about theological degrees,

Doctors of Divinity, or other pedigrees.

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Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen unknown;

Just fishermen, a humble trade the world would disown,

But these four men with others, soon set the world ablaze,

And the world knew there was authority in their ways.

They had not theological degrees, but had more.

They trained under the Master, and journeyed shore to shore.

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Their power lay not in any academic mind,

But in the One who taught them, with whom they were aligned.

Theological qualifications count for nought,

Unless the person, at the feet of Jesus, was taught.

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The secret is not in degrees of ability,

But in humble, spiritual viability.

The closer the walk with Jesus, the closer the gain;

Life in the Spirit, and faith, will godliness attain.

We must humble ourselves under the Lord’s mighty hand,

For that is God’s specified way to impact the land.

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Pride of achievement and pride of place is traitorous;

To treat a church as “Sunday speeches” is treacherous.

God knows only humble servants, those who serve the Lord.

They are the ones who will know God’s well-deserved reward.

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The ones who think they’re clever because they have degrees;

Ones who refuse to speak, unless they are paid their fees,

These all are charlatans, the false shepherds of God’s saints.

They are raping the heritage without due restraints.

It is not knowledge that counts, but time spent with the Lord.

It’s not academics, but with Jesus, in accord.

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IT’S NOT DEGREES OR PEDIGREES, BUT IT’S ON YOUR KNEES,

FOR IT’S NOT MAN OR ITCHING EARS, BUT IT’S GOD YOU PLEASE!

WHEN YOU GIVE ACCOUNT, IT WON’T BE TO SOME SELECT BOARD,

BUT YOU COULD BE EXPOSED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!

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Ron Ferguson 16 January 2022 Metre = 13 throughout AABB etc