A Christian Guidebook: What Is Faith? (6)

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13.17

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who 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. Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thessalonians 5.12, 13

The problem with authority
In our day “authority” has become a kind of four-letter word. Those who serve in authoritative roles—police, public officials, credentialed professionals, parents—are looked askance at and vilified, especially if they try to wield their authority without due regard for the presumed autonomy of those in their charge.

Those in places of authority are routinely mocked, cursed, and opposed by people who don’t give a fig for their authority and think we all ought to have an equal voice in pretty much everything.

The sad thing is, many of those in authority—including leaders in the church—have earned the scorn of those they’re called to serve by failing to fulfill their service as unto the Lord.

In the Church we’re particularly squeamish about authority, and one reason is because, in recent years, many who have been invested with authority in the churches—pastors, priests, evangelical leaders—have proven themselves unworthy of that trust.

In most churches I suspect we prefer to think of “leaders” rather than “authorities.” Leaders have to earn the right to be followed, which, in our day, they typically do by being energetic, visionary, funny, and people-oriented (“-pleasing”). And even then, following a leader is strictly optional, if we think there’s some benefit in it for us. Church leaders have authority only as long and as far as the people are willing to extend it to them, and so they’re always running things up the flagpole to make sure folks are going to salute before they launch off in some new direction. 

A leader, we can choose to follow or no, depending on whether we’re willing to go where he or she is leading. But to an authority we must submit, even if only grudgingly, because they have the power to admonish, hold us to an account, and bring us to discipline. And submitting is not exactly high on our list of things to do, even when our “leaders” fulfill their duty of watching over our soul.

Submit we must
But submit we must, even in the Church. We show that we believe the Lord and trust in His Word, and we demonstrate the evidence of that faith when we submit to our church leaders as unto the Lord (Col. 3.23, 24). Submitting to proper authorities is an integral component of full faith. If we want to gain the benefit God intends for us from those appointed to lead, we’re going to have to learn to submit. Not to submit is sin, since it involves disobedience to God’s Word. But for many of us, it’s a sin we think we can excuse.

Of course, we must only submit to anyone as we would to the Lord Himself, that is, when they are acting as His servants on our behalf and for His glory. Church leaders must submit to the Lord and His shepherding will and guidelines, or they will fall afoul of His grace and forbearance (Ezek. 34.1-10).

When we submit to another person we extend a high degree of trust to them, acknowledging our need of their insights, skills, and other endowments. In the military, soldiers submit to their platoon and squad leaders because this is the best way to save their own lives. On an athletic team the players submit to the coach. In the Church believers are called to submit to their leaders because this is an important way to express and to realize a healthy soul and full faith in Jesus Christ.

But with so many voices clamoring for our attention, urging us to follow them—frequently couched in terms requiring donations to their work—how can we know who the real leaders are?

Tests for real leaders
Our texts suggest concrete tests for real leaders. First, they teach the Word of God faithfully (Heb. 13.7). They aren’t trying to impress anyone with how clever, witty, or visionary they are personally. Their desire is that the Word of Christ might dwell in people richly, and all their teaching is based on that holy and inspired Word (Col. 3.16).

Second, their lives exemplify the things they teach (Heb. 13.7). True leaders are people whom, as you follow them, you begin to become like in ways that reflect full faith in Jesus Christ (Jn. 13.1-15).

Third, true leaders care for our souls (Heb. 13.17; 1 Thess. 5.12, 13). They are interested in us, want to get to know us, do everything they can to serve and build us up; and they will go the extra mile when necessary to help us become people of full faith in Jesus.

Such people—teachers of God’s Word, examples of full faith living, and earnest shepherds—can be trusted, followed, and submitted to in the confidence that God will use them for good in our lives. Our faith grows and matures as we follow the teaching of Scripture and submit to those God has appointed to care for and lead us.

Submitting to such leaders is yet another evidence that we have a faith that is not only assured of hope but is a living force in our everyday lives.

Search the Scriptures
1. According to Paul (1 Tim. 3.1-13) what qualifies a person for leadership in a local church?

2. J. I. Packer wrote that every believer is a leader of someone else. As followers of Jesus, we are all leaders. Review the tests for leaders cited in this meditation. How do you match up to these?

3. What should you do and what can you do to help your church’s leaders fulfill their calling?

Next steps—Transformation: How would you describe your attitude toward church leaders? Are you supportive? Grateful? Critical? Pray that God will give you the grace to submit to authorities according to His Word.

T. M. Moore

Additional Resources
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from theNew King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.