SCRIPTURE:
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Hebrews 13:7
OBSERVATION:
We are called to remember our leaders who spoke the word of God to us, people like Pastors, Sunday School Teachers, Mentors, etc. We can learn much from them, not just through what they taught us, but by considering their way of life.
APPLICATION:
There’s a lot that we can learn in this short verse. We are first to remember those who have taught us the word of God. We are then called to consider their way of life. The verse isn’t telling us to blindly follow their way of life, but to take it into consideration.
Many years ago, there was a leader I served under that I didn’t quite agree with. I still submitted to his leadership as I was called to do, but when I got a chance to sit with one of my mentors I shared this with him. I remember he said this very simple phrase to me that I still hold close to my heart:
“Watch the fruit.”
He essentially was saying to listen less to the words, and more to the way he lived his life. Consider the outcome of his way of life, if you will.
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.” – Luke 6:43
The verse says that we should “consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Not the other way around – We are not to blindly imitate someone’s way of life and simply consider their faith.
While I will remember the many leaders who have taught and spoken the word of God to me, I must ensure that I am watching the fruit as well.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have blindly followed people. Thank You Lord for the many fruitful leaders You have placed around me. May I remember these leaders, considering their way of life and imitating their faith, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
