THE FLOW OF GRACE

06/23/2024

"And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves" (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

It is important to show appropriate regard to every member of your local church. For pastors and members of leadership, the Lord would have you esteem them highly in love, not because of their looks or manner of speaking, but for their work's sake. In other words, God expects you to value them for the prayers, teachings, and guidance they provide.

Here's why: Divine provision and direction can only come through the vessels you honor. There is provision directed at you in this season, and it is essential to recognize and honor those through whom God is working.

Often, certain believers, carnal as they are, only give honor to certain leaders based on external things like their position, looks, charisma, or dress sense. These are the ones who would revere a senior pastor while deriding his associates or hail one minstrel only to antagonize another. This is not new. In 1 Corinthians 1:11-13, the Bible talks about a church in the home of a certain Chloe where external factors significantly influenced how they esteemed Paul, Apollos, and Cephas. It says, "For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos,' or 'I am of Cephas,' or 'I am of Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"

Esteeming leaders for reasons other than the work they do—such as praying, fasting, teaching, and counseling—only creates divisions. Learn to see your pastors and leaders as those serving the Lord Jesus on your behalf, not in the way the world esteems their celebrities.

"But Jesus called them [His disciples] unto him, and said, 'Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant'" (Matthew 20:26).

One way to esteem your leaders is by obedience to their guidance in the Lord. Hebrews 13:17 says, "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." There are simple instructions from your leaders in church that will open longstanding opportunities for you in the areas of relationships, business, and family life if you would only esteem them as those called by God to serve you.

Understand that the power of God on your ministers is not released by your admiration of their soft-spokenness or friendly demeanor but by your high estimation, in love, of their efforts. Appreciate them in your heart and in person for the job that they do, and watch God release certain graces into your life. Apart from this, let there be no one in church with whom you are not at peace. Recognize that offense exists for one purpose among Christians: to block the flow of graces from heaven to the earth and among believers.

By way of prophecy, there is a massive move of grace this week that will remove weights and burdens. However, the experience of this grace will hinge on how you deal with leaders and other believers in the church. If there is a need for repentance, do so immediately by talking to the Lord and asking Him to forgive you, while taking the necessary action to make amends with the involved parties.

Have an excellent week and be on the lookout for miracles.

God bless you!

Faith-Filled Confession

I esteem my leaders highly in love for their work's sake. I hold no grudges with anyone and by God, I enjoy a massive dose of grace in all of my affairs. In Jesus' name. Amen.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: Esther 7-10; Acts 6