Follow the Example Set by the Youngins
8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
This is one of those things that we can’t read over too fast.
“Godliness is of value in every way.”
That’s our goal. That’s our mandate. That’s the point of Jesus putting His very self – The Holy Spirit – into us.
For this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God.
The point of the Christian life is to be free to follow Jesus whole heartedly. His yoke is easy and His burden is light, but at the same time, He wants us to carry it. Sometimes we take that “easy and light” language to mean that we can live however we want.
And we just keep living in sin.
We have all kinds of hints to take care of our health (some are louder than hints!) but it’s even better to train and grow in godliness. To ask ourselves, “Am I doing this because I’m led by my flesh or led by the Holy Spirit?” and if we don’t know what that means in this or that situation, we set out to figure it out.
There is a lot to be said about older people being an example for the younger people. It’s good for the elders among us to set an example for the younger folks to follow, but that’s not the commendation Paul gives to Timothy.
Do not be looked down upon because you are young and stupid. That doesn’t mean you act like a punk and demand respect. It means that you set an example. What if the youngest among us (gladly they often do) showed the rest of us how to speak, act, love, and pray in the purity of the Holy Spirit?
This isn’t a tale of old against young. As Paul commends the elders to set an example in other letters, he tells Timothy to do it as a young man. We’re all supposed to be living zealously and fully by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the best way that we can encourage one another.
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