Day 14 – Drawing Lines

"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do."
Hebrews 13:15-18

Isn’t it peculiar how there is something inside each of us that seems to resist authority. It could be something as simple as ignoring the “Keep Off the Grass” sign. It could be ignoring the posted speed limit and then being put out with the police officer when you get pulled over. It could be talking about and making fun of a supervisor behind his back. I mean we really do believe that the world is a better place when there are boundaries and authority – just so long as it doesn’t get in our way. After all, the rules are for the bad people, not for good people like us.

It gets even more difficult when we start talking about spiritual leaders. Our boss at work pays us, so there is some incentive to obey him. But spiritual leaders? Pastors? Church guys? After all, don’t we pay them? And given the amount of scandals that have rocked church leadership around the country over the last several years, do these guys really expect us to submit to them?

And these are all valid concerns – unless you take the Bible seriously. In which case we have to seriously give attention to this idea of submitting to the authority of spiritual leaders commanded in Scripture.

When you look at the passage above, you discover that “obeying your spiritual leaders” is closely tied in to “doing good and sharing with those in need” and “offering to Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise.” It’s as though the writer is leading us into a whole new way of looking at the world. Instead of giving allegiance to a political system or a nation or a person, the writer says for us to give allegiance to God. The result of that commitment will be that we view our world from His perspective – that we have a God-centered view of the world rather than a self-centered view of the world.

As we view the world through God’s eyes, we begin to see the plight of those around us who are needy and desperate. Because we bear the Spirit of God within us, we feel compelled to help those who are broken and lost, the hungry and the homeless, and all those who are like sheep without a shepherd.

We also begin to see that authority is good. God gives each of us gifts and tasks that bring meaning and fulfillment to our lives as well as extend His Kingdom throughout this world. For some of us, the gifts and tasks are designed to help lead the Church and to equip the followers of Jesus to do the works of the ministry. This way, the church can accomplish her task of spreading the message of reconciliation to a world without hope.

Which is why the writer of Hebrews makes such a big deal about this issue of authority. If those who lead God’s people are to endure not only the attacks of the Enemy, but the day in and day out struggle with the frailty of their own humanity, doesn’t it seem better for we who make up the Church to add to their blessings rather than to their frustrations? Wouldn’t it make sense if we were going to see God do amazing things in our area that we would need to not only submit to, but also encourage and pray for, those in spiritual authority over us? It’s difficult enough to be bringing people into God’s eternal Kingdom, preaching God’s eternal Word and organizing God’s revolutionary movement in this world. When you add that they are also watching over our souls and are accountable to God for not just their own lives, but also the lives of those He has entrusted to their care, it becomes an enormous amount of responsibility – even without conflict.

Let’s add to their joy and not their sorrow. Let’s be an encouragement to their families and not a discouragement. Let’s be burden-bearers and not burden-givers. In this way, we demonstrate that we have an eternal perspective on our role in the Church. In this way we demonstrate that we believe that the rules are for us, that they are good, and that by our submission to them we will experience the best possible life God has prepared for us.

As you pray, be thinking through the following statements and allow them to prompt your thoughts with God.

• Thank God that He is the Ruler over every authority and power and that He is good, just, kind and righteous in His rule.
• Thank God that He has established spiritual leaders who help guide the Church and equip the followers of Jesus for the work of the Kingdom.
• Ask God to give these leaders wisdom and insight into His Word and His Church.
• Ask God to help you to be a joy and support for those He has placed in authority over you.
• Ask God to give you opportunity to demonstrate this support through yielding to the authority of those He has placed over you.
• Commit to praying for your spiritual leaders that they might live an honorable life and be protected from the Enemy who would seek to destroy them. Pray for God’s protection over their families and that God would fill them with wisdom and discernment that they may lead well.