Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 urges the church not only to honor its leaders but to have them in great esteem and love.
“and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ” (v. 13)
This means that the church gives them the value they deserve because of their work in the church. They do so by recognizing that their work in the Lord is of great value and because the Lord has given them this work. But we esteem them because they help the spiritual lives of church members. This work is of supreme value since they are the ones guiding others to Christ.
The church must also esteem them with love because of their work. The church must love its leaders who serve it. This love is demonstrated in attitudes and actions towards them. Our attitudes towards them must be one of acceptance. Our actions, how we talk to them, what we talk about them to others, how we treat them must show love. Love is shown with intentionality and thoughtfully. Leaders certainly appreciate this.
When we show love to our leaders, it makes their work easier even if their work of admonishing. A church that does not love its leaders who are faithful to God’s call are not honoring the Lord who has called them.
I can confidently say that our church is loving to its leaders. Not only this but they show it to the people who visit us, to our members and visitors. Like everything, there have been and will be some who will come to our churches with a wrong attitude towards leaders and even members. They focus on themselves and not on pleasing the Lord. We see their lack of love when they hurt others. Love always tries to believe the best in others, builds others, and does not try to harm them in any way.
Paul urges the church to maintain a peaceful relationship.
“Be at peace among yourselves” (v. 13)
It’s not always easy for leaders to keep the peace when there are difficult people.
But the call to keep the peace is important. C.H. Spurgeon responded to someone who had difficulty with a deacon by telling him:
“Bear. Bear. Forbear. Forbear. Forbear. In yielding is victory. Fight the devil and love the deacon-Love him until he is loveable.”
As leaders we must love and strive to keep the peace.
But also when the church shows honor, respect, esteem and love to its leaders there will be peace in the church. This happens because leaders also promote peace to each other.
This peace must be maintained.
But this also means keeping peace between each. It is the duty of all of us to keep peace in the church.
