DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BEING AN EXAMPLE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – BEING AN EXAMPLE

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (I Timothy 4:12)

This letter was written by the Apostle Paul to a younger minister, Timothy, whom Paul considered as a son in the faith (I Timothy 1:2, 18; II Timothy 1:2). It is a letter of instruction and encouragement concerning his ministry.

In our focus verse, Paul encourages Timothy to not be discouraged because some people thought he was not qualified to be an elder because of his youth. It is a fact that some of the older generations look down on younger ministers who don't seem to be wet behind the ears as though they could surely not be used by God. They certainly could not have the wisdom of experience or the ability to adequately understand the depths of God's word to say anything that would be of benefit to older Christians.

But Paul encourages Timothy to disregard the naysayers and just live as an example by his speech, his conduct, his love, his spirit, his faith, and his purity.

If God was to write to us of the older generation, He might write something similar but from the other point of view. "Let no one despise your advanced age, but be an example to the younger believers by your speech, your conduct, your love, your spirit, your faith, and your purity."

It is easy for young people to look down on us old duffers as out of touch with reality and having nothing to say to the younger generations. But I think we do. Even if they think we are old-fashioned, senile, out of date, and make fun of at our stories about the past, we can still be examples to them. Perhaps when they grow up, they will appreciate our steadfast faithfulness to the Lord God.

I can't keep up with all the millennials, the x'ers, the y'ers, or whatever they are called. But as an elderly baby boomer, I accept this as a challenge to be an example, even if younger people despise my age. I believe God can use us even in our advanced years to show the other generations what it means to be a Christian by out speech, our conduct, our love, our spirit, our faith, and our purity

Love, Dad