It is a Godly and good thing to remember and pray for the spiritual leaders God has placed in your life. However, we should not just pray for them, we should also honor and respect them and the labor of love they pour out.
One of the ways to honor and respect your spiritual leaders is to realize they are not just another opinion about spiritual matters just as Biblical Doctrine. The ones whom the Father has placed over you and into your life should be men of God who know how to rightly divide the Word of God and impart it in a way that you understand and obey. Their lives should reveal and display the love of God and all of His character. The nine fruit of Gal.5:22-23 should be evident. This is the type of man, although not perfect, one should seek to follow in his steps and imitate his faith.
Hebrews 13:7 ESV Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Your leaders will give an account of how they act, teach and lead you and the others God placed under his care. However, God also holds us accountable if we fail to submit and obey our leaders
Hebrews 13:17 ESV Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Paul was in prison but he sent Epaphroditus to the church with instructions to receive him with honor.
Philippians 2:25-30 ESV I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, (26) for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. (27) Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (28) I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. (29) So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, (30) for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Bottom line: We are commanded to obey, submit, honor and follow the leaders God has placed in our lives. They might make mistakes for they are not perfect, but we do not have the right or authority to criticize them, gossip against them, or disrespect them in any way.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, (13) and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
One of the ways to honor and respect your spiritual leaders is to realize they are not just another opinion about spiritual matters just as Biblical Doctrine. The ones whom the Father has placed over you and into your life should be men of God who know how to rightly divide the Word of God and impart it in a way that you understand and obey. Their lives should reveal and display the love of God and all of His character. The nine fruit of Gal.5:22-23 should be evident. This is the type of man, although not perfect, one should seek to follow in his steps and imitate his faith.
Hebrews 13:7 ESV Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Your leaders will give an account of how they act, teach and lead you and the others God placed under his care. However, God also holds us accountable if we fail to submit and obey our leaders
Hebrews 13:17 ESV Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Paul was in prison but he sent Epaphroditus to the church with instructions to receive him with honor.
Philippians 2:25-30 ESV I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, (26) for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. (27) Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (28) I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. (29) So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, (30) for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Bottom line: We are commanded to obey, submit, honor and follow the leaders God has placed in our lives. They might make mistakes for they are not perfect, but we do not have the right or authority to criticize them, gossip against them, or disrespect them in any way.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, (13) and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
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