I want to address my words to the members of church: Please know them who labour among you, the ones who are over you and admonish you, pay honour to your leaders, since this is what commands us the Word of God. It’s weird when you go to church and recognize that the members of church do not know their spiritual ministers and leaders. It’s written: “… esteem them for their work’s sake”.
Today many people have egoistical lifestyle and do not want to esteem others, even own parents. There is not any honour either to elders or to the servants of the God. This is the reason they lose the significance of the Gospel and blessings.
For the inhabitants of the Caucasus and Middle East it is easier to understand the meaning of the word “honour”, since we are used to giving the honour to each other. We know well that giving honour is not just to greet anyone and walk away, but show such respect so that a man feels himself very good. This is why it is much easier for us to esteem The Lord and His servants.
In my opinion, the honour is an appreciation. If you give honour to a man thereby, you show how much you appreciate his work. After that, a man is filled with enthusiasm and start working better.
As a pastor, I know and esteem those people, who work and serve with me in our church. It does not matter at all that I outrank them. I esteem them, because they provide the Word of God, do various services and bear fruits for the Kingdom of God.
The God esteems very highly those people who serve Him. Let’s resemble the God, know and esteem the people who labour among us, the ones who are over us and admonish us.
God bless you. Amen.