Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Hebrews: Obey Your Leaders

his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself (Ezek. 3218,19).

In a similar way, Paul viewed himself as a watchman who was ac countable to God for those entrusted to his care: “Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20226,27). Because Paul knew the certainty of God’s evaluation of his labor, he diligently sought God’s approval for all his work (1 Cor. 421 5; 9:27; 2 Cor. 529-11; 2 Tim. 2215; 427,8). The Bible says that teachers will receive more severe judgment be cause of their influence and responsibility (James 321). Since posi tions of teaching and leadership require greater responsibility and ac countability, a wise individual will never rush into leadership. The knowledge that a leader must give an account to God should greatly affect the leader’s quality of spiritual leadership. Furthermore, when God’s people understand that their leaders must give an account to God, they will be much more tolerant, understanding, and sensitive toward their leaders’ actions and decisions. They will be more willing to obey and submit to their leaders. The result of submission on the part of those who are led is deep, satisfying joy on the part of those who lead. Every shepherd knows the inexpressible joy of seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel, watching people grow as a result of teaching the Word, and seeing the flock prosper. John, the apostle, expressed this joy: “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (3 John 4). This joy, which every leader has a right to expect (2 Cor. 2:3), is possible only when the people obey and sub mit to their leaders. When God’s people disobey, complain, and fight, however, the joys of shepherding vanish. When Christians refuse to heed the shepherds’ warning, the shepherds feel “grief.” So the writer states, “let them do this with joy, and not with grief.” The word “grief” can also be ren dered “groan,” “sigh,” or “moan.” Grief expresses a strong inward emotion—an emotion that words are unable to articulate (Mark 7234; MAKE THEIR WORK JOY, Nor GRIEF

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