CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY
“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 13:17
Our text says that pastors and elders watch out for the souls of God’s people. To “watch out” is translated from the Greek word which means “sleepless.” The calling, gifting, and authority of the pastor and elder is from God, and they are responsible to continually watch over Christ’s flock. The church belongs to Christ, yet pastors and elders are given the authority from God to care for the church in Christ’s stead. Our prayer should be that God would give us godly pastors and elders who rule by serving the church, and church members who willingly and humbly submit to their rule. This is the avenue of peace in Christ’s church, and the key ingredient is humility.
Humility means you don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but you think soberly. When church members walk in humility they willingly obey and submit to the authority of their pastor and elders. And when the pastor and elders walk in humility, they willingly serve the congregation the Word of God as loving shepherds of the flock who love, care for, and protect the people of Christ because Jesus said, “Tend My sheep!” (John 21:16)
Therefore, when the truth of God is taught by the pastor and elders, every church member has the Biblical responsibility to obey and submit to the truth. If we disagree with something the elders’ rule upon, godly submission requires that we humbly go to the elders and present our case rather than lead a rebellion against the office bearers of the church. There needs to be respect shown toward the office of pastor and elder as those who teach God’s Word and rule in the church. The Apostle Paul wrote to Titus in 2:15, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” To despise Titus would have been to despise God, whose Word Titus preached. It’s also important to notice that Titus had a responsibility to let no one despise His God-given authority as he spoke the Word of God. To “despise” is translated from the Greek word “periphroneo”, which means “to think around.” Titus had a God-given responsibility to let no one under his care think their way around the Word of God.
Our text also says we should obey godly leaders because if you cause them grief, you cause yourself grief. In other words, obedience to godly church leaders is for your benefit. Disobedience to them “would be unprofitable for you.” God designed authority to protect and bless, but if you disobey godly church leaders who proclaim God’s Word, you are really disobeying God, which always has serious consequences. Take some time today to examine your heart on the issue of submission to those whom God has raised up to rule in His church for His honor, glory, and praise, and the good of Christ’s Church.
Friday Devotional: October 16, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
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