The Service Of Older Sisters

Serving – May 2019 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Service Of Older Sisters

“That the elder women in like manner be in deportment [behavior] as becoming those who have to say to sacred things, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is right.” —Titus 2:3 JND

Our wonderful Savior and Lord has given to us in His Word many simple but rich instructions. To obey them in faithfulness and love to Him will bring honor to His precious name and blessings to us. There are specific roles for each one in Christian service. We all have a place where we may let our light shine.

Consider the older sisters in the Assembly. Titus was instructed by the apostle Paul to emphasize their behavior particularly in respect of sacred things. Matters pertaining to the Lord and His people must be carried out in accordance with His holiness and grace. To be upright and not giving the wrong impression either by conduct or in conversation is stressed. How beautiful to observe our sisters who maintain a quiet and meek spirit. They are the pillars in the house of God.

Satan's attacks are often concentrated on the testimony and behavior of our sisters. Being enslaved to much wine may not be a problem for many of the sisters, however the danger of being controlled by something other than the Spirit of God is very real. The apostle gave warning; let us be before the Lord, that He may remove from over us the power of those things.

The last exhortation in our verse is "teachers of what is right." What a beautiful occupation for older sisters with younger sisters, teaching them from their own experience and walk with the Lord. We can teach the working out of divine principles in our lives, homes and assemblies. All these areas are closely linked together. We must not separate one from another.

What a vital role our older sisters have in bringing out blessed truths in the realm of service given to them by the Lord.

By Klaas Rot