September 25, 2021 -- I Timothy 5:1-2 -- Re-learning Purity

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

I Timothy 5:1-2 ESV

Dear people of God, in the last two weeks, several people have mentioned their struggled with pornography. Others have recently expressed their challenges in staying honourable while dating. The whole issue of “how far is too far” was part of the conversations. As Paul writes to Timothy, offering pastoral advice, today’s passage really stood out for me as significant.

Consider how a man or a woman who claims relationship with the Living God is instructed to behave. Women are to treat men as brothers. Men are to act honourably toward women as sisters. The interactions we have in all relationships must take place as we are aware together we are the Body of Jesus Christ. Purity and respect first of all for Christ, Whose people we are, and then purity and respect towards one another. Constantly choosing to see others in this light tames our lusts and shames our baser instincts.

People are not objects for our gratification. People are men and women made in the image of God and therefore stamped with the glory of the LORD of Glory. How we treat one another is a direct reflection of how we honour Christ.

Father in heaven, thank You for the great gift of Jesus Christ through Whom we are cleansed and in Whom we are called sons and daughters of the Most High God. Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of the Spirit, living in us, Who guides us into ever greater holiness. We confess our sinfulness, and admit to You the generous allowances we make for our baser nature, rather than acknowledging we have been made holy in Christ the Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world. Spirit of Wisdom, renew in us a desire for obedience and also provide the strength we need to carry this out in the joy that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

https://youtu.be/eSDNwuAcrpE