“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give account. Do this so their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
(Hebrews 13:17 NIV)
We were in a church membership class last night when this verse was read aloud and my heart snapped to attention. “Be a joy, not a burden” began to keep in my mind, a record replaying the same four second clip again and agin.
Of course, we were talking about church leadership. The pastor and the board are held accountable for the care, feeding and growth of their congregants. As church embers, we can make their job burdensome or joyful. Cooperation is key.
The context of this scripture is also church life. The writer of Hebrews has already discussed believer relations, hospitality and prison ministry, marriage and greed. He’s urged us to consider the sum of our spiritual leaders’ lives and go in the same direction. He’s asked us to be on guard against false teaching. He’s stoked the hope of heaven and prodded us toward praise. He reminds us to share well with others and then he tucks this verse in: have confidence in leadership, submit, be a joy, not a burden.
I believe there’s a national application here as well. We are citizens of heaven, yet for now we live here on earth. Honor is not a piece-meal value; we can’t turn it on and off at will. We are either honorable or we’re not. I understand, it’s hard to be respectful when people aren’t being respectable, but God calls us to do hard, holy things all the time. Why would honor be any different?
The Hebrews author tells us – submit to the authority for your own benefit. It’s in our best interest to be honoring, even if and when we disagree. As long as our leadership is not asking us to violate God’s law, we can submit to their authority and honor their position, knowing full well that God will hold them accountable.
Pay attention here, my friends. No matter what political position you hold to, know the God will hold our national leadership accountable. One day, President Donald Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi will stand before God and give testimony as to their actions. But before we get too giddy about that, we remember that we will be held accountable, too.
“Be a joy, not a burden.”
I want to write it on the walls of my home and fold it into the corners of my soul. I want this text to permeate my life with it’s sweet and powerful aroma. It’s easy to be a burden, it quite literally takes no effort. Conversely, takes a great deal of inner strength to choose joy; to wear it as a garment each and every day.
We think that being a joy is a gift we extend to others, but today’s text reminds us, it’s a benefit to our own flesh as well. Being a burden makes us a liability. It’s not in the best interest of our church, our community, or our country. Being a joy bless all those areas, but it benefits us the most because we live with ourselves every day.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and this who do so will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Romans 13:1-5 NIV)
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV)
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
(1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV)
Just in case we are tempted to think “But our government is so corrupt – these instructions certainly don’t apply in today’s culture!” Before we discard the teachings of Apostles Peter and Paul, recall that the early church was subject to the occupation of Rome. Ancient Romans were some of the most corrupt and cruelest governing men in world history. Yet the architects of the early church penned these words about national authority.
Lord, we realize today that we have a choice. We can be a joy or we can be a burden. We can submit or we can rebel. We can honor or we can dishonor. Help us choose wisely. Help us grow in the direction of Heaven, embracing the values and and priorities of Your Kingdom. Calm us down and strengthen us to serve our churches, communities and country well. Amen.