Hey, Brother!

Daily Reading: 1 Timothy 5

Scripture Focus: DO NOT speak harshly to an older man, but speak to him as to a father, to younger men as brothers, to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters—with absolute purity. (1 Timothy 5.1-2, NRSV)

Devotional Thought: These particular two verses have always intrigued me, especially when I served as a children’s and youth pastor, working to foster good and growing relationships between the generations.  And, when I found myself as the pastor of a church where the average age was 75, they became even more meaningful!  This command must have been important to Paul, because the translators in the NRSV I use capitalized the beginning words “DO NOT.”

Paul offers a simple command and challenge that I am afraid is lost on the American church today: meaningful love and interaction between generations.  Or, put more simply, Paul challenges the local church to actually be a family - to treat one another, not so much as “members” or “peers” or fellow “attendees”, but as fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters. Do we do this in the Church today?  Can it be said in our own congregation that we share this kind of familial bond?

I believe that part of the reason the Church struggles today to be effective, is we don’t truly see one another as “brothers and sisters in Christ.”  We keep each other at a distance.

We are so busy that we find it hard to make time for deep relationships.  Distance gives us a cushion of comfortable space, or an excuse for not helping other believers because we can plead ignorance.  It could be that being vulnerable with people is just hard to do, especially in a culture that values independence and “self-solution.”  Jesus prayed that his disciples become “completely one” (John 17.23).  Could it be that part of the strategy toward church unity and growth is treating each other like family?

Joe Young

Prayer: Forgive me, Lord, when I neglect my "family" - my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Help me to love and serve them as you do.  In your name I pray.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.105-112

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.

107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!

108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules.

109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.

111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.