I wish I could say it gets easier the older you get, but I don’t think that’s quite right. We had an 84-year-old widower in our small group, Wally, who we dearly loved. He passed away suddenly last year from a stroke. He was transparent with us as to how hard the sin battle was even at his age. He faced a daily battle. I’m thankful for Wally’s honesty with our Bible fellowship group. I wish I would have told him that more often. He was always sure to tell us how much he appreciated and loved all of us. Oh, this life is short. We are fragile yet stubborn jars of clay.
We must change our ways. I want a growth and learning mindset. The reality is that it is hard to live it out. I know very well what the Bible says. There is a principle sewn throughout Scripture that says that if we don’t grow and obey God we can expect disaster. God gives his people ample opportunity to turn from evil and to obey His word (Jeremiah 26:4). Not a feel-good message, but God gives warnings for a purpose - to warn us.
Let’s continue to ask God to help us get it right. At every age, but especially for those us now in the OG category. Lord Jesus, yet again we come to you in repentance. For your wisdom and your ways are good and we desire to honor you, to obey, and to be prepared for doing worthy work. Help us as older men and women to learn and grow today. We desire to represent you well today.
For us OGs, we must continue to learn and grow. That’s a daily requirement. We are to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely (2:2). Easier said than done - for the pull of our sin is strong. Pride, arrogance, quarreling, bitterness, selfishness, and anger. We must have sound faith, and be filled with love and patience (2:2). This is what I desire to be filled with today. And I pray that for my friends and family as well. That we all truly grow.
We know that God has a good purpose for our lives - here - and for eternity. That’s the truth. God has a good, pleasing, and perfect will. But He will not force us to do His will. Each lives his own life. It is our responsibility to use our freedom from sin to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. Let's commit to being teachable. Just because we are old does not mean that we can't learn. We can always learn and grow. We can learn every day. From anyone, young or old. And in every situation. Our philosophy of education is this: we continue to grow in Christ.
We see in this passage that the purpose of good teaching is to show God’s people how to live in this evil world. It is to teach the truth and to honor the Almighty.
Lord Jesus, thank you for this glorious day. Thank you for the sunrise and the breath in our lungs. Thank you for coffee. And family and friends. Thank you for your holy word. Thank you for your love and your patience with us.
Please help us to have a willingness to learn to hear you. And to do what you tell us. Please put a wall of protection around us for we need Your protection. Please let our will be your will; may we be totally committed to doing good deeds and filled with love and patience.
We know we will come under attack from the evil one and from the pull of our sinful desires. But please help us to turn to good living and to grow in holiness today. Amen.
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