Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. [1 Timothy 4:11-12 NASB]
Referencing the preceding verses, Paul is telling Timothy to command and teach the things that lead to godliness. He sees a potential obstacle to Timothy's successful mission, which is his age.
Youth, in the ancient Greek language referred to anyone up to the age of 40. Timothy was, at this time, about 30 years old. He was, of course, a fully grown and mature man, and not what we would call a "youth" today. Compared to Paul, however, who was in his 70's, Timothy was quite young. Youth is relative.
Timothy was tasked with teaching and correcting much older men. There is a tendency among older people to dismiss younger people due to their inexperience. At the same time younger people tend to dismiss their elders, considering them to be out of touch or irrelevant.
Timothy had to win over the older believers in order to effectively minister to them. Before he could teach them, he had to bridge the division between them. This wasn't going to happen by persuasive arguments, or displays of intellect or knowledge, but by being a living example of godliness.
Today, the United States is more divided than it has been in many years. Besides the still active division between the old and young, there are racial divisions, gender divisions, political divisions, and religious divisions.
Black Americans are demonstrating to let the world know that they will not be discriminated against. This is a good message and a worthy goal. However, the message is getting lost to the violence, the fear of rioting and looting, and politics.
White Americans, overall, don't want to see the blacks discriminated against. But they are afraid of losing their rights in favor of the minority. The fear is that the pendulum will swing too far the other way. Add to that the fact that many are turned off by scenes of rioting, vandalism, arson and looting which is associated with Black Lives movement.
It is hard for many to see that most blacks are not rioters and looters, just as most whites are not racist bigots. The actions of a few distort the picture. Ignorant people don't understand that it is only a few and not all. It's like seeing a red spot on a blank canvass, and concluding that the whole canvass is red.
Whatever the conflict, whether it be about racial equality, gender equality, immigration, politics, or whatever else, the issues will not be resolved by arguing or fighting. No matter how influential a person is with his words, that will not be enough to win over most people. The need to see actions. The influence of words is short-lived. In the end, people will be judged by what they do.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to be an example of godliness. Whatever our sphere of influence, no matter how limited or how great, we display God's love, not just with words, but by actively loving others. Jesus said;
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [Matthew 5:9 NASB]
You may not have the influence to change an entire nation. But by modeling Christ in this world, you may have the opportunity to be used by God to heal one relationship, or one neighborhood, or one city.
If every Christian modeled Jesus instead of fighting over politics, or selfishly demanding their own rights over another, then we could bridge the gap between us. God said;
and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. [2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB]
Lord, please search my heart and reveal any prejudice that may still reside there, that I may fully repent. Please give me the grace to love the world as You love the world. I pray also for my country, that You will heal the wounds and divisions that are caused by and illuminated by the recent unrest. Please heal our land.
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