Authority, just say the word and some people become negative and rebellious in their hearts. We all have authority, and it is well understood that certain authorities have a certain control over you whether you like it or not. In Hebrews chapter 13 the writer speaks of the authority of a pastor or leaders twice. The first authority we are directed to obey is in verse 7. This is referring to those who are your teachers in the church, primarily your pastor. We are to remember them. The word remember is in the present active tense, which means this is something we are to do on an ongoing basis. This is to think about them and the lives they lead. Think of them with respect and submit to their authority as long as it is biblical. This is vital if a church is to move forward to the commands of God and have an impact on the community. Everything that functions properly must have one head. In the church the ultimate head is Christ, and under Him is the pastor.
We are to follow their faith. The word considering means to pay attention. Now, we need to break down the phrase “end of their conversation.” The word conversation in the original language means conduct, and the “end of” refers to how their lives turned out.
Hebrews 13:7 “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.”
In Hebrews 13:17 we are to submit and obey our pastors as long as their directives are biblically sound. Just as a parent gives an account for how they have taught their children and what they allowed in the home, so does the pastor in relation to the church and its members. They give an account for souls. They give an account for what they have taught and for what they have allowed in the church. It is their responsibility to maintain a life that is pure, and they are to see that the church is kept pure. While we know that no one is sinless we are to strive to be as much like Jesus as possible. We are not to brush sin off as “a little sin” or with the idea that “nobody is perfect.” All sin is serious to God, and we are to repent and forsake anything that we do that or say that does not please God. If we have followed biblical instruction and served faithfully, they can do it with joy, but if not, their accounting will be done with grief.
Hebrews 13:17 “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.”
In I Thessalonians 5:12-13, Paul is teaching the church at Thessalonica to obey those who are laboring as their leaders. They were to admonish them to do what is right and they were to obey. They were to esteem those in leadership in the church very highly. They were to love them and maintain peace in the body of Christ, the church.
I Thessalonians 5:12-13 “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.”
Many who attend church have never thought about the pastor having any authority over their lives. But if they would read their Bibles, listen, and learn while they were in church, they would know that he has authority, given by God, over them. Because they are a man of God, we are to esteem them highly. We should esteem the office of the pastor, and the man that represents it. Each week pastors all over the world speak the truth of God’s word to a congregation. Are you listening to learn and obey or are you passing the time thinking about what you will do after the service? Do you take notes so you can meditate on the truths later in private? How do you handle the instruction given to you from the pulpit? We need to remember that God will hold us accountable not only for what we hear, but what we would have heard if we had been listening. Let this sink deep into your mind and soul, then you will see the awesome responsibility to respect, listen, and obey the word of God presented to us by our teachers and pastors.
