Anchor Devotional

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The Family of God

“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2

It matters how we treat one another in the body of Christ. Our words and actions should give dignity to others. Paul teaches Timothy how he is to speak and act toward everyone in his flock, and it is instructive for us also.

Older men in our midst are like fathers, older women like mothers, and younger men and women like brothers and sisters. If your family relationships have been dysfunctional, this may be a difficult parallel for you. Yet we do all understand that our first approach to a father who has been a good dad should not be harsh rebuke, but rather respectful appeal. Within the church, spiritual fathers are called to shepherd the children under their care. As brothers, we stand back-to-back in the battles of this world. Sisters support each other in the seasons of life. Mothers nurture us toward maturity.

Your church is your spiritual family. All around you are spiritual fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, and grandpas and grandmas. Whether your own family life was healthy or not, God invites you into His family.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Mark 10:29-30

INSIGHT
Lord, thank You for the spiritual family of Your church. May our lives reflect that our elder brother Jesus has died to make us His own. Amen

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Samuel 11-12
Psalm 141
Colossians 3-4

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