2 Thessalonians 2:15 “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” The strength of a man tends to waver. Our resolve loosens; our pace slips. The Apostle Paul knew this. People whom he had brought to faith through the Gospel, sinners who had been chosen and called through “sanctification by the Spirit and belief of the truth,” all were in need of endurance. Paul watched over this congregation in Thessalonica as a “nursing mother” and “like a father with his children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 11). What does such a Christian leader do? What should preachers, elders, parents, and mentors do? They should urge their people to “stand firm.” There are commands in the Christian life, and these commands are given for our “progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:25). Leaders point the way to these ancient paths, to the “traditions you were taught by us.” Leaders exhort the stragglers, encourage the weak, confront the proud, and urge all to hold to the paths of righteousness. A leader who does not do this has laid down his arms. What should a congregation expect from their leadership? You should look for your leaders to lead. The function of the Christian leader is to lead, not just fill an office. There are “traditions” of belief and practice to be followed from one generation to another. The mighty Apostle expected a degree of uniformity in the way Christians worshipped, believed, spoke, and lived. Paul spoke of “my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.” (1 Corinthians 4:17) The work of Christ’s churchmen is to explain and model these traditions. This explanation and modeling expires without strong leadership. Christ’s shepherds lead without ceasing through regular contact with the sheep. Pray for your elders, that they would choose the paths of righteousness, walk with precision, bend to the Lord’s will, that they would “stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16).
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