Old and Gray

God has not forgotten us as we’ve grown older and older. That’s evident every day. And we are not to forget Him as we grow old and gray, as David wrote:

O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. (Psalms 71:17-18 KJV)

The theme is repeated in Titus 2 – which we’ve used often in teaching:

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (Titus 2:1-2 KJV)

Christian men have a tremendous responsibility. Their example is to be displayed for non-believers as well as Christian men, women, youth and children. Their example must display sound Christian doctrine, so they have to be spending time in prayer with their Bible, too.

The older women in the church have just as great a responsibility:

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5 KJV)

I love that we’re to be teachers of good things. David spoke of such teaching when he said “shewed thy strength unto this generation”. We’re to spend time with young women, giving them our lives as examples of loving our husbands and our children. We are the keepers at home. We are to be obedient and submissive.

Don’t cringe in horror!! Submission is not your freedom’s death sentence. The doctrine is of sufficient importance that it is mentioned twice:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22 KJV)

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18 KJV)

In return, our beloved husbands are to love us as deeply as Christ loves His church:

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25 KJV)

That love brings no abuse. That love offers itself, fully. What a wonderful base for a marriage – to know that the husband loves his wife as Christ loves His church – and that the wife is as obedient to her husband as the church is to Christ.

That’s what we “old and grayheaded” “aged women” can do in service for our Lord. For all the remaining days of our lives. After that, we get to enjoy the companionship, the fruit of our labor, for all eternity.

Can’t beat it!!