Articles

1. The Value of Youth to the Cause of God

Which is the most difficult era of human life? Infancy? Adolescence? Mature adulthood? Agedness? It probably depends upon where you are as to how you might answer that query. While many might suggest that one’s sunset years are the hardest, my own judgment would be that the period designated as youth might be the most challenging. Youth is a frustrating time in life. It is that period when one is hardly old enough to be on his own, and yet he is feeling a sense of independence. Youth ever are attempting to find some sense of identity; that is why they sometimes act and dress so weird. They are bizarre! But then, so were we.The Scriptures represent youth as a time both of danger and challenge. Moses said that “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen. 8:21), and Paul admonished Timothy to “flee youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22). By way of contrast, though, the Creator also recognizes the value of youth to the divine cause. Youngsters have energy, they are daring, their hearts are filled with visions of the future. Indeed, they can be a most valuable component in the service of Jehovah. Solomon, who wasted much of his life in folly, perhaps thought better of the matter in his declining days. He contended: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccl. 12:1). Again, Paul would say to Timothy:“Let no man despise your youth; but you be an example to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). It strikes me that whereas our youth can be quite impetuous and sometimes a bit silly, they are, nonetheless, a wonderful resource in the kingdom of heaven. The fact is, the Bible is replete with examples of how God has used younger people in some of the most vital roles in the unfolding of his marvelous plan of redemption.

Culled from Christian Courier by Wayne Jackson

2. A Challenge to Our Youth

A few months ago I was preaching in my own congregation and made mention of those who were young; as I did so I included myself in that age category. The congregation laughed! Being just over 40 I thought I was young, especially compared to some of the older members of the church who are in their sixties, seventies or eighties. However, going by the amusement of my congregation, especially the young people, I am older than I think! That should not surprise me. Occasionally, when talking to my children, I hear myself using that famous expression, "When I was young!" When people use that phrase they are often drawing a contrast between the way the world was when they were young and how it is now. No doubt, some allowance has to be made for those who view the past through rose tinted spectacles, fondly remembering the past being better than it actually was. Yet, all of us should be aware that the world has changed – The Western world is a vastly different place at the end of this century than it was forty of fifty years ago. The most dramatic changes took place in the 1960's. That decade saw a complete shift of thinking. This change had been building up for a long time, a couple of centuries in fact, but it was the sixties that pulled the plug on what had been traditional and familiar. Before that decade the Bible was an accepted authority, people believed in God as the Creator and Lawgiver, and most respected the laws and standards of the Bible, even if they didn't live up to it themselves. All this has changed. The Bible is still a best seller; however, for many in NZ it is not the Word of God but merely a book like any other book. Most people today still have a general belief in God but he is simply one of the many faith options that people might choose. And God's laws as standards to live by have been replaced by the Nike slogan, "Just do it". Our changed spiritual and moral landscape has produced a new world and another way of looking at life. This new situation has been described as "postmodern". It has produced a new set of challenges for you as Christian young people. How will you live in this postmodern, media-driven, image-saturated environment? I would like to give you four challenges.

Build on the Truth
Follow Christ by Faith
Make Good Use of Your Time and Gifts
Be Witnesses

Culled from Christian Library by John A. Haverland