Don't grieve your leader?
It is not uncommon for Christian congregations to reject their pastors. This was quite often the case with Israel. God gave them shepherds and prophets, but the people refused to listen. They loved their sin too much to follow the leaders God had given them. The result was judgment. When God’s people refuse to submit to God-ordained authorities, when they refuse to repent of their sins, one way that God judges them is by removing faithful ministers from their midst.
Paul did not want this to happen to the Corinthians. They had used every excuse to justify their sin. They had even cast blame on Paul, but his ministry among them was blameless. The problem did not lie in him but in the hearts of the Corinthians. The apostle had opened his heart to them, but they refused to open theirs. This brought much grief to Paul as he struggled to serve them. Still they would not submit to his authority or embrace him in love. Here he passionately pleads with them, like a father to his children, that they return his love with the same love. We find this same kind of plea, or exhortation, in Hebrews 13:17: “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.”
Do not harden your heart against those who faithfully minister to you. Obey and submit joyfully to your elders. Show them honor as those who are entrusted with your spiritual welfare. Their work is difficult and filled with many trials. They deserve your love and your respect. Make their service one of joy by opening your heart to them, by respecting their authority, and by loving them, for they are a blessing from the Lord.
Is your pastor a faithful minister of the Gospel? If so, do you honestly respect him, submit to his authority, and love him as you ought? If not, confess to God today and write your pastor a note, admitting to him that you want to love and honor him as God has commanded. Tell him that you consider him to be a blessing from the Lord.
Tabletalk Magazine, October Fearing God, 20.
