The Generation Gap

by NEELY, G. | Category: N/a | Jun 2005

The apostle Paul recognized the problem of the generation gap. As he approached the last years of his life, he wrote a couple of letters to a young man of whom he had grown very fond to encourage him to be everything that the Lord wanted him to be, no matter what other generations thought of him. He was writing to Timothy who was a young man, a spiritual man, a man who at a young age had decided to follow the Lord Jesus. He said to him, '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 Tim.4:12).

Paul had written several years earlier to the Corinthians about Timothy and told them he was 'doing the Lord's work � So let no one despise him' (1 Cor.16:10-11). Just a young man giving his all for the Lord. Such men, such women, whether young or old, are to be respected and encouraged, earnestly prayed for and helped.

Some people disregard and even despise the speech and conduct of young men and women. The answer to the problem is exactly what Paul said to Timothy: 'show yourself an example of those who believe'. The word translated example is the word for pattern, or the impression that is made when something soft is struck with a blow. Show that you match the pattern of the Lord's will. No one can look down on that! Show that you have been with the Lord, in His Word, and on your knees in His presence, such that He has made an impression on your life and character. No one can despise that. How can it be done?

In speech

Are the words that you use an example of what Christ used? Because Paul says be an example of those who believe, not an example to those who believe. You are imitating Christ and He spoke the truth, firmly, yet with grace. 'And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips' (Luke 4:22). Remember Peter's words about Him '... and while being reviled, He did not revile in return' (1 Pet.2:23). We are told, 'Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt' (Col.4:6).

In conduct

The word is behaviour. Peter says: 'be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY"' (1 Pet.1:15,16). He also says, 'Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that ... they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation' (2:12). James says, 'Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom' (James 3:13).

In love

That is agape love, 'in spite of' kind of love, the love that God demonstrates for us. 'But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Rom.5:8). Not while we were pleasing Him or doing His will, not while we were loving Him, but in spite of the fact that we were sinners deserving death, our just wages. 'Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you' (Eph.5:2). And if that were not enough, '"All men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another"' (John 13:35).

In faith

'And without faith it is impossible to please Him' (Heb.11:6). As Paul prepares the Ephesian saints for their spiritual warfare, and tells them of the armour of God which they are to put on, he says, '... in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one' (Eph.6:16). Not some, but all of the missiles.

In purity

From the same root word as holy. It means to be uncontaminated. Impurity starts in the thoughts and works its way out into actions. Paul tells the Philippians: 'whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things' (Phil.4:8). What do you think about? This is the list that will keep you pure in thought and action.

So you don't want to be disregarded and looked down on? Imitate Christ and people will look up to you!

(Quotations from the NASB)

NEELY, G. | Jun 2005
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