Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Timothy 5:1-2.

 

“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.”  1 Timothy 5:1-2.

 

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Pure respect.  Pure gentleness.  Pure love.  Today’s devotion calls for such pure respect, pure gentleness, and pure love in our treatment of others, particularly in the church. 

 

And, although we might be inclined to reserve pure respect and pure gentleness for our treatment of older men and older women, and our elders are indeed entitled to such respect and gentleness (Leviticus 19:32 and Lamentations 5:12), when we treat the younger men as brothers and the younger women as sisters, we are showing them respect and gentleness and love as well.

 

The following Scriptures focus on gentleness and how we should show gentleness to all.  But, we can certainly see how these Scriptures also include respect and love for all as well. 

 

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

 

Matthew 5:5
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 4:22-23. 

 

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness;  each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

 

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:1-3.

 

Philippians 4:5
“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”

 

Colossians 3:12
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;”

 

1 Thessalonians 2:7
“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”

 

“An overseer (elder), then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.”  1 Timothy 3:2-3.

 

1 Timothy 6:11
“But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”

 

“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,   with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,”  2 Timothy 2:24-25.

 

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”  Titus 3:1-2. 

 

“Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”

 

James 3:17
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”

 

1 Peter 3:15
“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”