Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance – Titus 2:2 NIV
Isn’t it true that old age is often associated with maturity, wisdom and patience? In the Book of Job it says that “Wisdom is with aged men, with long life is understanding” (Job 12:12).
But sadly this is not always the case. As I get older, hopefully I am getting wiser, but this one thing I do know to be true: I experience decrease energy, blurred vision, harder times hearing, little more aches and pains, and a whole lot of cynicism. Now don’t tell me that some of these things are not true of you, they are. I know, I fellowship with some of you and where do you think I get some of these things?
As we grow older, change can become harder to accept. Life can be less satisfying, less fulfilling and more complicated because of some of the physical limitations we face. Besetting sins can become so much a part of our lives that we tend to forget that such things are wrong to begin with.
However, as believers, getting older should also give to us a greater love for God and better appreciation for His people. Those who have walked with God for many years have so much to pass on to the younger generation. They also have the prospect of seeing God sooner and hearing those wonderful words, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.”
A church should always honor its older saints. A church is blessed beyond what most may realized when on Sunday its services are graced with the presence of older and more mature saints.
In fact, older saints are to be respected at all times, especially when they sin. For example, Paul said, “Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father” (1 Tim. 5:1). Older men and women do sin and they certainly are not perfect. Nevertheless, they are to be treated with special respect and consideration by the church and by those who are younger.
Giving older people periodic public honor and recognition is a good idea. Treating them with respect when they sin is a good idea. Listening to them and learning from their example and life’s experiences, plus tapping into their knowledge of the Word are better ideas.
In the church there are older men. Strive to be like them. My kids when they were a lot younger would tell me, “Dad, you’re old. I will never get old.” I replied, “Well, if you do not want to get old, then you’ll die young.” After hearing me say that a couple of time, and now that they are now older, I have never heard them make any more of those kinds of comments. They are now realizing that with old age come benefits: Driving, jobs, their own bank accounts, personal privacy, treatment like adults rather than just kids, more freedom, and increase knowledge and wisdom.
Oh yeah, there are some awesome advantages in being older. Oh, and by the way, when we go hiking, even at the age of 52, I still leave my kids in the smoke while climbing up a mountain. Maybe that’s why they don’t like to hike with me anymore.
