"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
Hebrews 13:7
Part 3
Yesterday:
“And submit yourselves:”
Believers are submissive to legitimate authorities.
“For they watch for your souls, as they that must give account,”
Our church leaders will give an accounting to God of their care for us.
Today:
“That they may do it with joy, and not with grief:”
They care for your soul out of a joy-filled heart! Godly pastors count it a joyful thing to be able to care for the souls of God’s sheep.
“These leaders as good shepherds recognize keenly their responsibility for the welfare of the flock” [1] (Robertson).
Paul showed this godly attitude toward the Philippians when he wrote…
“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Philippians 4:1).
This is how a good pastor feels about his church! But, in every church body, there are difficult times when the leaders are called on “to go above and beyond.” The work of shepherding a body is exhausting and challenging work. But for the pastor, the labor is often its own reward, and he serves his flock with joy. “There is joy in serving Jesus!”
“For that is unprofitable for you.”
The godly pastor is concerned about the profit to the sheep, not his own comfort. He is glad to minister to the sheep. There is no grief here! The Greek word “grief” in this verse is the word that means “to sigh, to groan.”[2] You’ve seen a person weary of his job. When they think of their responsibility, all they can do is groan… it’s a burden, a drudgery. This is not how your pastor responds when he thinks of you, he rejoices! He is concerned for you and your soul’s welfare, and he may be a little unsure of how to help you at times, but he is joyful for you.
Why is it that some sheep seem to think they are called to give their pastor a hard time of shepherding? You don’t have to make your under-shepherds life difficult. You can make your pastor’s job a little lighter by your right attitude in the body as he leads you. Note the three things Paul told the Thessalonians that they could do to be a blessing in the body.
“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
1. Acknowledge the leaders that serve among you. The Lord put them there. It is their job to admonish you.
2. Give your leaders respect for their work’s sake. Their calling is not easy. Pray for them. They are human, they will make mistakes, and they could use some encouragement from you.
3. Be at peace among the body. Do everything in your power to get along in the body. Be a peacemaker, not a troublemaker. Be solution-oriented, don’t be the problem. Thank the Lord for your church leaders.
[1] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.