It’s Like Family

PETER WINSCOTT, Church Administrator

• BIBLE VERSE

   1 Timothy 5:1-2 “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. 2 Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.”

• INTERPRETATION

  Here we have an example of how to treat others.  The main idea is that other people should be treated with the same respect and love that you would give to your own family.  Furthermore, if you are not giving love and respect to your own family, you will not be able to demonstrate this to others.

• BREAKTHROUGH

  I demonstrate my love and respect for God when I love and respect others.

• LIFE APPLICATION

  There are no conditions of love and respect given in these verses.  We are simply to give it.  We are to give respect to older men.  This means we don’t speak to them in a disrespectful manner.  With younger men, we are to treat them like our own brother, which means we guide them along with loving instruction and defend them in times of trouble.  Older women are to be treated with the same love that you would give to your own mom.  And finally, younger women are to be respected in the same way you would want your own sister respected.  This means that you don’t look at younger women as play-toys or objects of sexual desire.  You see their innocence and you desire to protect it as an older brother would protect his sister.

  What about absentee dads, mean moms, bad brothers and snotty sisters?  How can we love others in this way when our own family didn’t warrant this respect and love?  Simple.  Ask yourself the question: did I warrant God’s love and grace?  No.  Loving others is not about whether they are lovable.  I do it because it is pleasing to my heavenly father and demonstrates love and respect to Him.

• ENTREATY

  Lord, help me to love and respect others well.  I pray that you would constantly remind me to treat them like family.  Thank you for giving me a mom and dad that warranted love and respect.  It makes it much easier for me to live this out.  Help those who didn’t have moms and dads that warranted love and respect.  May they look to You as their model of a Father-figure and You are most worthy of love and respect.  AMEN.