Why are Christians told not to look down on young people? The book of Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to his friend Timothy. Timothy was Paul’s trusted colleague and was an active missionary and faithful church leader in the early church.
The purpose of writing this epistle or letter was to encourage Timothy and provide a set of instructions for leading and organizing the church.
Some of the most important topics included in this letter are prayer, worship, husband and wife, leadership structure, false teachings, and money.
Of course, among these topics, Paul discusses and emphasizes the importance of not despising young people simply because of their young age, which is the main focus of this article.
The context of the verse is Timothy 4:12
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one despise you because of your youth, but be an example to the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.”
What’s lovely about this verse is that Paul doesn’t just give general instructions, he also provides strategies to help Timothy carry out these instructions.
Paul tells Timothy not to let the world underestimate him because of his young age, but to be an example to the believers.
But Paul does not stop there, he specifically lists the areas in which Timothy should be exemplary:
Speech: Words shared with others.
Conduct: His actions
Affection: How he treats others
Faith: His belief in God
Chastity: His behavior toward women and how he controls his own body (1 Timothy 4:12)
This list covers all aspects of Timothy’s life.
In my opinion, the point Paul is making here is that we are not only saved for Sundays, but that our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives. And like Timothy, we must become an example to those around us and ensure that we become more and more like Jesus Christ every day.
Paul was a person who knew what it means to give one’s whole life to God. He wrote about this in many parts of the Bible, another one being Romans chapter 12. The translation of the message of this chapter is as follows:
So, by God’s mercy, I ask you to present your normal, everyday life—sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around—as a gift to God.
Isn’t it interesting that even Paul goes so far as to say “by the help of God” or as the NIV translation says, “according to the mercy of God”?
Even the apostle Paul knew that this is a life that we can never achieve alone, but we always need God’s help. Isn’t it comforting to know that we don’t have to rely on our own strength to live a certain way?
Also, Paul knew something that we sometimes forget. In life, it is very easy to get caught up in what is happening around us rather than paying attention to what God is doing.
Therefore, Paul gives a little more detail to these words in verse 13 and says that Timothy should devote himself to reading the scriptures and never neglect the gifts that God has given him.
How are these teachings applicable to us today?
My biggest fear is that I will go to heaven and end up as someone who never properly or fully used the gifts God has given me to expand His kingdom.
There is a famous quote from an English evangelist named A. Redpath that says, “A Christian may have a saved soul but a wasted life, but no follower of Jesus should ever be satisfied with such a state.”
Dear friend, consider this sentence as a reminder that when God created you, He instilled talents and a purpose in you. No matter how old you are or what your skill set is, please use them for God’s glory, don’t lose them and don’t hide them.
This does not mean that God owes us a reward or a reward someday, or that we may be proud of our own gifts and progress, but that God may be glorified and His kingdom spread!
Paul writes that Timothy should be serious and focused on the things said, but he should also carefully monitor his life; Otherwise, it could lead to the destruction of those he is trying to lead.
It is very important for Christians to evaluate themselves and ask God to show us regularly, as David said, “Is there any way of wickedness in me?” (Psalms chapter 139).
While the above seems like a very long list of things for Timothy to do, I think it’s important to reiterate that all of this is done with God’s help and is a way of life, not a to-do list. which Timothy did whenever he felt he should.
Timothy was also reminded to persevere even in difficult times, for it is this perseverance that will save both him and his hearers.
It is important to note here that the actual salvation of a person does not depend on our good behavior or faithfulness.
I believe Paul is pointing out here that it is necessary to evaluate ourselves so that we do not mislead the church or the people with false teachings and poor behavior.
It is also important that we do this because our actions, words, and faithfulness to God are sometimes and often times what lead others to believe in Christ. They see things in us that they do not see in the world, and that is for those who have not yet understood the peace that passes understanding (Philippians chapter 4) or the joy that can be found in the trials of our lives (James Chapter 1) is fascinating.
Today in the article : Why Are Christians Told Not to Look Down on the Young? We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
