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- Apr 25, 2006
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1 June 2007
Hebrews 13:17-19
Obey your leaders and act under their authority. They are watching over you, because they are responsible for your souls. Obey them so that they will do this work with joy, not sadness. It will not help you to make their work hard. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience, because we always want to do the right thing. I especially beg you to pray so that God will send me back to you soon.
In these verses, the writer is talking about obeying the leaders of the community of the followers of Jesus. Our church leaders today have been called, tested, equipped and appointed to lead us in all we do as a Christian community. They offer guidance and direction in our lives, our mission and the ministry we share. And so it is right that we should respect them and obey them.
When I was licensed by my Bishop for the work I do in the local church, I had to swear an oath that I would obey him "in all things lawful and honest". It is no different for us in the world we live in. Jesus was challenged about paying taxes (Matthew 22) and said to pay to Caesar what is Caesar's and to give to God what is God's. Where ever we live we are under a duty to obey our leaders in "all things lawful and honest" and to honour God with our lives.
None of the local churches I have worked in or know today have leaders that actually "tell" people what to do or say or think. The leadership is one of encouraging, guiding, teaching, and pastoring; and is not like a military dictatorship. When we constantly rebel and challenge, moan and criticise, it can be hard for the leader, it can become a joyless task and demoralising.
It is much easier to work when joyful than when sad, and so we are told here to co-operate and give encouragement to our leaders. That is not to say, in my view, that we can not question or challenge, but that we should do so appropriately and genuinely. And remember, how you feel about, how you talk about and how treat those in authority over you may be viewed as an example of how to treat you!
Lord God, give to those in leadership today the wisdom to lead in your name. May what they do be according to your will and may I play my part in supporting and trusting those in authority. Amen.
Written by Neil Thomson
Hebrews 13:17-19
Obey your leaders and act under their authority. They are watching over you, because they are responsible for your souls. Obey them so that they will do this work with joy, not sadness. It will not help you to make their work hard. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience, because we always want to do the right thing. I especially beg you to pray so that God will send me back to you soon.
In these verses, the writer is talking about obeying the leaders of the community of the followers of Jesus. Our church leaders today have been called, tested, equipped and appointed to lead us in all we do as a Christian community. They offer guidance and direction in our lives, our mission and the ministry we share. And so it is right that we should respect them and obey them.
When I was licensed by my Bishop for the work I do in the local church, I had to swear an oath that I would obey him "in all things lawful and honest". It is no different for us in the world we live in. Jesus was challenged about paying taxes (Matthew 22) and said to pay to Caesar what is Caesar's and to give to God what is God's. Where ever we live we are under a duty to obey our leaders in "all things lawful and honest" and to honour God with our lives.
None of the local churches I have worked in or know today have leaders that actually "tell" people what to do or say or think. The leadership is one of encouraging, guiding, teaching, and pastoring; and is not like a military dictatorship. When we constantly rebel and challenge, moan and criticise, it can be hard for the leader, it can become a joyless task and demoralising.
It is much easier to work when joyful than when sad, and so we are told here to co-operate and give encouragement to our leaders. That is not to say, in my view, that we can not question or challenge, but that we should do so appropriately and genuinely. And remember, how you feel about, how you talk about and how treat those in authority over you may be viewed as an example of how to treat you!
Lord God, give to those in leadership today the wisdom to lead in your name. May what they do be according to your will and may I play my part in supporting and trusting those in authority. Amen.
Written by Neil Thomson
