Strengthen Older Believers from 1 Timothy 1:1-2

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 5-20-02

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Strengthen older believers

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  1Timothy 5:1,2

            Message of the verse:  1 “¶ Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,2  the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.”  Paul again is writing about Timothy’s youth and he wants to make sure that if an older man sins that he will not be intimidated over his youth but would do the right thing.  Paul warns Timothy not to sharply rebuke the sinning older man but to strengthen him.  The work in the Greek is related to the word used for the Holy Spirit and means to come along side of.  Paul tells Timothy co come along side of the older brother and strengthens him in the Lord.  Next Paul tells him to treat the older women like a mother and the younger men like a brother and the younger women like a sister.  This is important for if he does not treat the younger women like a sister then he could get to close to them and be tempted. 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I like the way that Paul tells Timothy to not be to harsh on the older men but to come along side of them.  This is the godly way to treat a person when he sins, however when the sin becomes so involved that the person does not want to admit that he is doing wrong then other measures should be taken.

The Word of God was instructing to me today.

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to get along with Sandy today even though she has a really bad case of PMS.  I need to lean on the Lord for His support and help.

Memory verse for the week:  Romans 6:12

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal bodies, that you should obey it in its lust.