Post by jrabbach on Feb 10, 2010 8:26:10 GMT -6
1 Timothy 4:12: Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young.
That is what I often hear spoken at youth gatherings, and I myself have used it as a source of inspiration as I try and do things that some would say I am doing "at a young age."
There is so much more to this passage though, and even to this verse: 1 Timothy 4:7-13: Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 'Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.' This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in you love, your faith and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
First off, this passage is titled, "A Good Servant of Christ Jesus." So, when it says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young." It means so much more than "The world is wrong, they should respect you." We don't deserve to not "get looked down on" just because we are young. That is not the only requirement. Paul here is talking to Timothy, a young man he is telling to demand respect as long as he is being "an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." In other words, be what those who would look down on you are not. Be such a shining example of Christ that they have to agree with the lessons you teach them.
We have to be willing (as it says in verse 8) to train ourselves for Godliness. We have to take time to be alone with God, and then to go forth with God to do his work.
Is it hard for you to just sit and be alone with God?
Would you much rather be out doing something for Him?
Though we want to act, God wants us to first and foremost spend time with Him. From there he will tell us what to do. We can't just push ahead and try to bring the results of our good works back to Him. God is working, and wants to work with us in all we do. We just have to be with God to do that.
That is what I often hear spoken at youth gatherings, and I myself have used it as a source of inspiration as I try and do things that some would say I am doing "at a young age."
There is so much more to this passage though, and even to this verse: 1 Timothy 4:7-13: Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 'Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.' This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in you love, your faith and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
First off, this passage is titled, "A Good Servant of Christ Jesus." So, when it says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young." It means so much more than "The world is wrong, they should respect you." We don't deserve to not "get looked down on" just because we are young. That is not the only requirement. Paul here is talking to Timothy, a young man he is telling to demand respect as long as he is being "an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." In other words, be what those who would look down on you are not. Be such a shining example of Christ that they have to agree with the lessons you teach them.
We have to be willing (as it says in verse 8) to train ourselves for Godliness. We have to take time to be alone with God, and then to go forth with God to do his work.
Is it hard for you to just sit and be alone with God?
Would you much rather be out doing something for Him?
Though we want to act, God wants us to first and foremost spend time with Him. From there he will tell us what to do. We can't just push ahead and try to bring the results of our good works back to Him. God is working, and wants to work with us in all we do. We just have to be with God to do that.
