Advice

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psa 90:10).

Introduction

It is interesting to look back at a life that will very soon extend to the “threescore years and ten”, and reflect on the lessons we have learned during the years of our probation. We look at the world around us, and the signs of the soon coming return or our Lord, and hope that indeed his return will take place before the stress and strain of modern life overwhelms our community and more particularly our young people. Indeed, we must live our lives as if the Lord will return tomorrow, but yet make provision in case he does not.

So as we reflect on these dual priorities, and we see our grandchildren growing up, we know we cannot predict either our or their future. But perhaps we can look back, and consider the ways the younger have been helped by the elders down through the ages, and wonder if we can in learn from those before us and help those coming after.

The advice of Paul to Timothy

Our brother Ryan Mutter has been looking at the life of Timothy, and it is perhaps of value to reflect on the ways Paul helped “Timothy, mine own son in the faith” (1 Tim 1:1). Perhaps a few of the instructions of Paul to Timothy can help frame our ideas:

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come… 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” (1 Tim 4:7-8, 12-13 ESV).

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments’ ” (1Tim 5:22-23).

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge” (1 Tim 6:20).

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim 4:2).

Much of the advice is to be expected, coming from one who had devoted his whole being to preaching the gospel. But some is perhaps a little surprising: to avoid discussion about Jewish myths, (Tit 1:4) but rather to focus, not on physical fitness, but on spiritual fitness. Most commentators assume Paul is expressing disapproval of the extreme form of fitness as practiced by the contemporary ascetics. I personally believe that, in fact, Timothy was wont to exercise his body as many do today, but Paul is pointing out that such exercise is of limited value in the eternal.

There are many other passages, not only from the letters to Timothy but also the one to Titus, that are clearly written by one seasoned, both in the Truth and in years, to a fellow believer much younger in both aspects. But I believe these passages contain the core of the advice

  • Focus on the true message: do not be distracted by side issues and irrelevant controversies.
  • It is quite proper to rebuke, but only with endless patience.
  • Look after your body: do not neglect to take care of the physical as well as the spiritual body.

The advice of others

There was recently a discussion on one of Internet Christadelphian groups, asking for advice to the younger from the elders. Here are a few (only) of the comments as edited:

  • Don’t believe everything you are told. Think for yourself: read the Bible for yourself, not to confirm what others tell you.
  • Do not live so as to improve the opinions of others. Be confident in yourself.
  • Put your trust in God and in His grace, not in the edicts and predicts of men. His son will be the judge.
  • There is always sunlight beyond the blackest cloud. Things are almost never as bad as you expect them to be. Push through and never give up.
  • Wisdom is knowing when to speak up, and when to shut up. Wisdom thinks deep and long before it opens its mouth.
  • Be true to yourself and walk with God. The rest is ephemeral.
  • God is not out to get you on a technicality! Do not micro manage your weaknesses and certainly do not micro manage others’ weaknesses.
  • Live your life in appreciation for having been redeemed. Do not waste time trying to earn redemption, and never waste time judging others.
  • Forgive yourself!! Every single person fails to meet their own standards sometimes (much less God’s standards).
  • Plug into the “light” of Christ and dedicate yourself to reflecting it the best you can. People learn from what they see you do, and much less from what they hear you say.
  • Pray always, for yourself and others.

My advice

I can only offer comments, based on the short time I have been on this earth. And I must recognize the value of my upbringing, the patience and love of my wife, and the patience of my children as I have struggled, as we all do, in my walk. And I must acknowledge, as many experience when they are young, that my father became a lot more knowledgeable and wise as I entered my later twenties — much to my surprise. In common with many young people, I thought my father was quite out of touch with reality for quite a decade, and I must apologize to his memory. So I doubt my comments will have much impact on the twenty-somethings for which they are supposedly intended, but, who knows, they might find I get smarter as they age. After all, how many in this age “stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD” (Lev 19:32). So here goes, based on my own experiences and no others. Others might have different opinions, and I respect them.

  • Never write notes in your Bible in ink.
  • Any good Bible is known for the number of question marks, both in the Bible text and regarding the comments of others.
  • Do not be afraid of education. And do not mothball your children by keeping them isolated in a little cocoon. They will have to make their way into the world by themselves at some stage.
  • Especially if you have children, do your best to live in an area with a vibrant ecclesia and other children of similar ages.
  • If it becomes a choice between your current employment, which unfortunately requires moving into isolation with your family, and resigning, there is no real choice. Resign. God will provide.
  • If it becomes a choice between a better job that requires your total commitment of effort and time, and your family and the Truth, there is no choice.
  • Your proximity to an ecclesia is more important than where the ecclesia is. Do not be afraid of changing states, cities, provinces, or countries: after all, our true citizenship is not of any country.
  • Take your children to Bible Schools all their lives, and youth weekends without fail.
  • “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). This is all you can do: children might not turn out as you desire, as sometimes happen. Look at the children of Samuel. “Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice” (1 Sam 8:3).
  • If your children turn out fine, praise God, not yourself.
  • Give praise and thanks to God and His son for your time on this earth, and only hope you have walked after the path of His son.
  • “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl 12:13).