βRebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purityβ (I Timothy 5:1,2).
The Apostle Paul deals with many different types of relationships in his epistles, but perhaps the most delicate relationship is with those who are older in years. Like the seasons of the year, each of us gradually grow older until we find ourselves in the winter of our lives. The first 70 years are normally filled with vim and vigor as we fulfill the desires of our heart. But if by reason of strength we survive beyond this point the Scriptures indicate that the days ahead are going to be filled with labor and sorrow. Labor, in the sense that even the mundane things of life, such as rising from a chair, becomes burdensome.
To complicate matters further, sorrow surrounds us like a tattered garment as death robs us of those we love. Little wonder that Paul admonishes us to esteem the senior members of the Body of Christ as fathers and mothers. Their plight deserves our sensitivity and their years of experience our respect. Furthermore, it will serve us well to remember that someday soon we will be the patriarch or matriarch.
βThen shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave itβ (Eccl. 12:7).
The sting of death is sin, but thanks be unto God that Christ died for our sins thereby removing its sting. Thus, according to Paulβs epistles death is merely a passage way into eternal life for all those who believe (I Cor. 15:55-57; Heb.Β 2:14,15). No one looks forward to growing old, but hopefully we will do so gracefully and with dignity. As they say: βThere is nothing to fear, but fear itself.β The blood of Christ is our eternal life insurance policy which has a rider guaranteeing our future resurrection! source
