Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you
Hebrews 13:7 Christian Standard Bible
7 Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.
The word remember is the Greek word mnēmoneuō and it means to remember. Denotes the action of keeping in mind or thinking of something or someone; it can also mean to mention something in the past or future.[1] We have people in our lives who have made an impact in us for the kingdom of God. Many times, these are those who have discipled us and taught us not only the scriptures but how to rightly walk with Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews exhorts those to remember the leaders who have spoken God’s word to them. For us to walk rightly with the Lord we must be in the word of God every day. Not only coming to an understanding of God’s word, but rightly applying it.
People will drift when they become disconnected from truth. For us to grow in maturity and intimacy with Christ will require us to develop spiritual disciplines. Much like a person grows from consistently spending time at the gym and properly strength training, the same exist in our spiritual lives. It is impossible to grow in the deep things of God if we are not willing to develop proper spiritual disciplines. To neglect the word of God daily is to rob ourselves of growing deeply in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. The phrase carefully observe is the Greek word anatheōreō and it means observe carefully. To examine (check out) — to observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect. [2] The writer of Hebrews is driving the point home of not only listening to those who teach the word of God but taking time to carefully observe and examine their lives. Those who are entrusted to teach God’s word and shepherd God’s people must live lives that reflect the truth of scripture.
When Jesus walked the earth, He not only spoke and taught truth, but He also modeled it daily before the disciples. The disciples came to understand how to live for the kingdom of God by simply examining the life of Jesus. The word imitate is the Greek word mimeomai and it means to mimic; imitate; copy[3]. The writer of Hebrews is not only telling them to carefully observe and examine their teachers, but to copy, mimic, and imitate the faith that is lived out before them. It is impossible to be an effective teacher of God’s word if we are not truly living for Christ. There are those today who outwardly will put on a great show, but privately they have made compromises and failed to properly live for Christ. In time these things will be exposed, and the teacher will be seen for who they truly are.
But for the true servant of God who not only properly and soundly teach the word of God, but live it out for others to see, the effect they have will be profound. God is simply looking for those who are hungry and obedient. Every great man and woman of God came from very humble beginnings. Before they were given great influence by the Lord, they were unnoticed. But as they walked with God and consecrated themselves to His kingdom, they saw their ability to impact others for the kingdom of God greatly increase. We must not only soundly teach scripture, but we must also live it out on a daily basis.
Prayer
Father thank you for the faithful teachers of God’s word who have impacted my life. Help me daily to study your word and to live it out. Help me to faithful teach and communicate the deep truths of your word. Help me to understand how to rightly apply your word to my life. May my life be consecrated unto you. May in all that I do you be glorified and honored. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
[1] Spencer A. Jones, “Memory,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
[2] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).
[3] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Septuagint, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).
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