When Paul wrote to his protege, Timothy, he encouraged him with these words,
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:12-16
Timothy was a young man in ministry. He was probably not a teenager (as has often been claimed in youth groups around the world), but a young and inexperienced pastor nevertheless. As a result of his youth, Paul knew that people may not respect Timothy and Timothy’s message. As a result, Paul gave Timothy some very specific instructions about his personal life and his ministry.
Most interesting was Paul’s imperative, “Let no one despise you for your youth.” Normally, we do not think that what others think of us is our responsibility. But, Paul believed Timothy could actually influence how others perceived of him. Rather than carrying himself like a young inexperienced pastor, Timothy was to set an example to others in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Timothy was to live his life in such a way that others found it difficult to criticize or despise him for his youth.
American Christians would do well to heed Paul’s admonishment to Timothy, “Let no one despise you.” In Timothy’s context, it was his youth that might affect his ability to share the gospel. It was his youth that was most likely to be despised by others. What is the thing in your life that might cause others to despise you?
Just consider the sorts of things you might do that could cause others to despise you or lose respect for you. How might Paul write this letter to an American Christian today?
- Let no one despise you for your slovenly attitude.
- Let no one despise you for your lovelessness toward your neighbor.
- Let no one despise you for your social media posts.
- Let no one despise you for the way you behave at little league ball games.
- Let no one despise you for your political partisanship.
- Let no one despise you for your lack of joy.
- Let no one despise you for the way you treat servers at a restaurant.
- Let no one despise you for being a jerk in the name of Jesus.
Just as in Timothy’s day, there are plenty of reasons the world may despise the message of Jesus. In our day, the LGTBQ agenda makes conservative Christianity increasingly out of step with the morality of our culture. The exclusive claims of Jesus make his message offensive to people of other religions. The requirement for repentance makes the gospel offensive to all who hear it.
There are plenty of reasons for Jesus and his followers to be despised. Make sure that your personality, your attitude, and your way of life do not give people an extra reason to despise Christ and his church. Paul believed Timothy had a responsibility to not let others despise him. I believe that same responsibility applies to Christians today.
Be salt and light in the world.
Refuse to be despised for anything other than the work and word of Jesus Christ.
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash
