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 

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How many of you remember playing the childhood game “follow the leader”? One person is picked as “the leader” of a group of people, and wherever he goes, the others are to follow. As children, we imitated whatever the leader did. However, 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 we are to follow.

There is the appreciated role. 

“Remember them which have the rule over you.” The spiritual leaders that God has placed in our lives are God’s gift to the church. Specifically, this is the pastor of the church, who biblically is recognized for his role as a 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, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint or for filthy lucre, but of a willing mind. We are exhorted to “remember them.” This remembrance is through personal acknowledgements, appreciation, and in our prayers. Unlike secular leaders whom we must follow, 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 that 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 and 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 preaching that sinners hear the gospel and are invited to be saved. It is through preaching that men are called to be preachers. It is through 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 spiritual success. 

There is the appointed reckoning. 

“Considering the end of their conversation.” Pastors have an extremely specific reckoning before the Lord for the spiritual welfare of their flock. Every pastor must give an account for the lives of their 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 11-13

#Hebrews #Pastors #Faith