Follow the Leader
Today’s Verse:
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. ~Hebrews 13:7
How many of you remember playing the childhood game “follow the leader?” One person is picked as the leader, and wherever he goes or whatever he does, the others follow. As children, we imitated whatever the leader did. As adult Christians, we realize the importance of the influence that leadership has on our decisions and lives. Our devotion this morning places emphasis on the spiritual leadership in our lives “whose faith follow.”
There is the appreciated ROLE.
“Remember them which have the rule over you…” The spiritual leaders God has placed in our lives are His gift to the church. Specifically, this is the pastor of the church, who biblically is recognized for his role as shepherd, overseer, and elder. He is to be respected, received, and submitted to for our spiritual lives. The Holy Spirit is the One Who has made the pastor the overseer of that specific church (Acts 20:28). He is to “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind” (1 Peter 5:2). We are exhorted to “remember them.” This remembrance is through personal acknowledgements, through appreciation, and in our prayers. Unlike secular leaders, spiritual leaders are men we should follow for our spiritual benefit.
There is the articulating RESPONSIBILITY.
“…Who have spoken unto you the word of God…” The Apostle Paul is specific about the role pastors have in our lives. He refers to the ministry that the pastor has in preaching and teaching the Word of God to his congregation. His responsibility instructs us in the doctrines of the Word. His responsibility ingrains within us the obedience of duty to the Word of God. His responsibility also inspires us in the development of devotion to the Lord. It is through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word that we are given direction for our lives. It is through the preaching that sinners hear the gospel and are invited to be saved. It is through the preaching that men are called to be preachers. It is through the preaching that our hearts are stirred to serve the Lord and make changes to our lives.
There is the avid REPLICATION.
“…Whose faith follow…” We are exhorted to follow the faith of our spiritual leaders. This implies imitation in the right practices. Our spiritual leaders are to be our model for the key components of spiritual living. This includes praying, Bible study, serving others, the witness of our faith, church attendance, and learning to wait on God through individual trials. We are to follow and imitate the good and godly things in their lives. We are to pattern our doctrinal beliefs and direction after our spiritual leaders’. We are to follow their faith for our safety and success spiritually.
There is the appointed RECKONING.
“…Considering the end of their conversation.” Pastors have a very specific reckoning before the Lord for the spiritual welfare of their flock. Every pastor must give an account for the lives of his flock. There is a heavy burden and responsibility associated with leading a congregation, and the lives of the people in the church. Thus, a pastor’s example and practices can make or break the life of a congregant. At the same time, the life of the congregant can either give joy or grief to the pastor. There is no escape from a future reckoning of the flock entrusted to a pastor.
The best thing we can do to thrive in our Christian life is to “follow our leader.” Let us follow him in his preaching, his vision, and his zeal in serving the Lord.
Have an inspired God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Job 5-7