Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 1 Timothy 5:1-4
The Church, the Body of Christ, is a spiritual family designed by God. Many Christians don’t understand this concept , that when you refuse to belong or participate in a local Church community, you are neglecting your spiritual family, and essentially you are depriving yourself of spiritual fellowship. Nobody was made and designed to walk this world alone, especially in this spiritual battle against the demonic realms of the devil (Ephesians 6) Left alone, there is a greater chance you will fall to temptation and the vices of the devil
Jesus introduced this concept, “Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers? And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50) While Jesus family was looking for him, he taught us that those who do the will of His father, those who are Born Again in Christ, are the family of God, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
So the Apostle Paul , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives us basic instructions to treat older men and women as if they were our natural parents. As God commanded, we are to honor our mother and father (Exodus 20:12) Now I understand life is perfect and people are not perfect, so each situation may vary, but this is the moral principle, to treat our parents with love and respect, including our spiritual parents within the Church community.
As well as treat younger women and men, as brothers and sisters in Christ. There should be a level of respect, love, and dignity demonstrated towards one another in the Church. Many people within the Church don’t have a natural family for one reason or another. Or many Christians are rejected by their natural family because of their Christian faith. This is why it’s essential and important for the Born Again believer to be in community with other Born Again believers.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) We are all one family in Jesus Christ! Don’t forsake the assembly of your brothers and sisters (Hebrews 10:28) Amen!
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