It’s Not About A Persons Age: 1 Timothy 4:12
“12) Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:12
Physical age has nothing to do with maturity, character, godliness or gifting. Paul told Timothy not to let anyone despise his youthfulness. His speech, conduct, love faith and moral purity were to be exemplary.
It all comes down to the depth of a persons walk with God. The Holy Spirit is not limited from working through young or old, rich or poor, male or female, or ethnic background. Joseph, Daniel and Timothy were young when God started using them in great ways.
By contrast, Abraham was close to one hundred when he finally had the faith to give birth to Isaac. Moses was eighty when he stood before the burning bush. Some believe the Apostle John was in his nineties when he wrote the book of Revelation.
Danial was faithful and fruitful for God his entire life. He built a daily walk with God that spanned many decades. So was Anna. She was an aged widow and prophetess on fire for God in temple with fasting and prayers night and day past age eighty-four. (See Luke 2:36-38) She was a fire ball for the glory of God.
We need to reprogram our thinking. Fruitfulness is not tied to age. It is tied to the depth and sincerity of a walk with God and the corresponding anointing of the Holy Spirit in the persons life in the “Now!”
I have watched people who were young and on fire for God have their flame go out. I have also seen people who have been on the side lines their entire life suddenly turn to God and burn with passion, power and great fruitfulness.
The point Paul was making to Timothy was that physical age has nothing to do with ministry potential or fruitfulness. God can work equally as powerful through young or old. Age doesn’t matter. It’s not a persons age that counts, rather it’s the depth and sincerity of a persons walk with God!
In the case of Balaam, God spoke through a Donkey. Jonah is an example of God doing great things through a very reluctant and stubborn prophet. This underlines the fact that God and not the person is the ultimate source for all effective ministry. But when the human agent is in synchronism with God and anointed by the Holy Spirit, unfathomable things can happen.
The implication of this verse is that your past performance does not determine your present fruitfulness. By the time Paul wrote 2 Timothy, the fire in Timothy was growing dim. As mentioned earlier, Moses didn’t acquire the fire until he was eighty.
Walking in the power of the Holy Spirit is a “Now” phenomenon. Godliness is a daily pursuit. Past failure can bring future fruitfulness, just like past successes can lead to pride, arrogance and a time of wandering from God. It is your “Now” walk with God that matters!
So let me ask you a few questions: Is your fire burning “Now?” Are you walking in the power of the Holy Spirit “Now?” Is your time in the Word and in the prayer closet effective “Now?” Are you being faithful in season and out of season “Now?” Are you setting your mind on things above “Now?” Are your priorities right “Now?” Are you storing up treasures in heaven “Now?”
I’m not interested in your past biography or some future dream, I want to hear and see current events of what God is doing in your life right “Now!” Are you on fire for the glory of God “Now?”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global