Godly Actions Towards Others

The Holy Bible   (The Contemporary English Version – 1 Timothy 5:1-3): Don't correct an older man. Encourage him, as you would your own father. Treat younger men as you would your own brother, ² and treat older women as you would your own mother. Show the same respect to younger women that you would to your sister. ³ Take care of any widow who is really in need.

Thoughts:   I was taught that to understand the Bible well, I must think of the environment and the people involved in the time that the great Book was written. In this particular lesson that Paul is teaching Timothy, this is probably a bad thing, because it shows me that there was a problem of disrespect and attitude deterioration way back in the days of Paul and Timothy, and many times it seems like the problem has gotten only worse since that. For as I watch the evening news I often question if the actions taken by some could even come from a human mind, for they are so atrocious. However, the good that I see in this lesson is that when we train ourselves to follow the teachings of Paul, which is also what I feel God expects, we are actually training ourselves to be more like Jesus, which is what He demands. For those of us in leadership roles, I believe that this lesson gives us principles upon which we can teach those under our influence. For as we do this, we are training our men and women to reflect the very nature of Jesus in the way that they live, walk and talk. Elsewhere in the Word of God, we are given the various roles that the husbands and wives are to play here on earth. Treating others with the respect God expects is always in place. Friends, Jesus made us all and He expects us to be able to live together here on earth as we will do in heaven. Let's make every effort to treat others with the respect that both they and God expects. Following this guide given by Paul is definitely a step in the right direction. Let's talk to God about it and seek His help and guidance, so that our actions might reflect the love of Jesus and our obedience to His perfect will for us.
 
Prayer:   Lord Jesus, You showed us the way through Your actions here in this earth and through the written Word of God in the various teachings You empowered others to share with us. Please give us Your wisdom to know Your will, and please give us the strength and willingness to follow all that You have taught us. People today need to see the sincerity of our beliefs through the actions and words that they see and hear in us. Lord, we take our son-ship seriously, so please guide us into a true reflection of You in the way that we act and the things that we say. May we respect and love others as You intended. Thank You for reminding us through the words of Paul how we are to handle our relationship with others. May Your name be honored and lifted up today because of our representation of You in all that we do and say. I ask this in the all-powerful, wonderful name of Jesus, with thanksgiving, AMEN!

 
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