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Tracts and Literature
To Help You Reach the Lost, Grow In Christ, and Sound a Faithful Warning
©Fundamental Evangelistic Association
Lead by Example
A Challenge to Today’s Christian Youth
by Matt Costella
Consider This ...
Many people tend to think of today’s youth as the leaders of tomorrow. But
Scripture never places us in such a category. It never instructs us to wait
until we are more mature or knowledgeable or skilled before we begin to take God’s
Word seriously and consider what plans and purposes the Lord has for our lives.
According to God’s Word, we are to be leaders even today who earnestly desire
to honor and serve our Lord in all our thoughts and actions. Paul told Timothy,
a younger man in the faith, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an
example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in
faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12). God specifically commands us, as young people,
to be leaders--to lead by example. We are to understand God’s instructions to
us and let the world watch us grow in our spiritual walk with the Lord.
As a young person myself, I am
burdened for the church in the days ahead, and I am burdened for today’s
youth who must not only strive to live exemplary lives right now (that
is, a life that is an example for others to follow), but who will one
day attempt to serve as faithful leaders within the body of Christ, the
church. I am burdened because it is not getting any easier to live in
this world. I am burdened because young Christians today often fail to
understand that God desires to have a close, intimate relationship with
them right now, a relationship that only comes about when we obey the
Scriptures. Sadly, many young people often feel as though God will only
use them or speak to them through His Word when they grow older. Yet
this is certainly not true!
I know that many adults do not always
provide the right examples for us to follow. Some are downright
hypocritical. Others do not even seem to care what God’s Word has to
say at all. Others may truly desire to follow Christ but find themselves
more interested in what some individual has to say or what some program
has to offer rather than what God’s Word teaches. Today, as many older
believers tend to disregard the teaching of God’s Word in order to be
accepted by others, we who are younger are witnessing this tragic
compromise, this disregard for Biblical truth.
Often, many of our peers (or maybe we
ourselves) are following in the footsteps of our errant elders and
copying their unscriptural attitudes and philosophies of ministry. Maybe
we feel as though we should worship and unite with others even though
they do not agree with us concerning what the Bible teaches. Maybe we
feel as though we should join a "cooler," more "alive" church. Maybe we
feel that we should live like the world, act like the world, talk like
the world and dress like the world in order to witness to the unsaved.
Maybe we feel as if our outward actions do not really matter to God as
long as we are sincere and our motives are pure.
Yet despite the mixed signals and poor
examples often set by those around us, young and old alike, God wants us
to honor Him, obey Him and lead by example. The Word of God is not
silent concerning the conduct of young people and their role in the
church and in society. I believe that as young people today, we must
seriously consider what God’s Word has to say to us. Are we measuring
up to what God wants us to be? Are we just following the crowd, or do we
stand out as those who desire to be faithful and holy despite the
hypocrisy and compromise all around us on the part of both adults and
other young people?
I understand the struggles and
pressures faced by young people today. Having been educated in both
Christian schools and public universities, I certainly understand the
unique tests and trials that accompany those younger believers who
attend either Christian schools or public ones. Even those who are home
schooled are not exempt from peer pressure and from the pressure of the
media to conform to the standards and lifestyles of the world. All of us
are bombarded by television programs, commercials, music, billboards,
video games, magazines, newspapers and movies that give us the
impression that to rebel against all authority is cool; that parents are
old, out-of-touch "has beens" who do not know what they are talking
about; that sex, lust and immorality are perfectly acceptable as long as
one is honest and responsible.
We are being targeted whether we
realize it or not! Advertisers today specifically target our generation.
They slyly pressure us to buy their products so that we can feel stylish
and cool. We are constantly pressured by the media to conform to the
standards of the world and to be accepted by the unsaved within society.
Why? Because it is financially beneficial to them. They use us for our
money and could care less about our physical or spiritual well-being.
Sadly, even young people who profess to be saved are largely responsible
for pressuring other Christian young people to live like the world, act
like the world, talk like the world and dress like the world. How are we
to respond to these pressures?
First, we all must realize that the
ideas and philosophies of the world are completely opposed to God’s
will and plan for us. The world tells us to "live it up" as young people
while we can. The immorality and worldliness embraced and practiced by
many of our peers are often excused even by those who are older than us
who say, "They’re just kids," or "They’re only young once ... let
them live and enjoy all the world has to offer while they still can."
But notice what the wisest man who ever lived wrote by inspiration of
the Holy Spirit in Ecclesiastes 12:1. King Solomon wrote: "Remember now
thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Notice that Solomon did not say: "Live
it up while you are young, and later on you will have the opportunity to
serve and glorify God." No, he said exactly the opposite. He tells young
people, "Now is the time to focus on your relationship with God, the
Creator of all things."
The attitudes of the world in which we
live completely contradict the exhortations found in God’s Word. Even
in 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul does not tell Timothy, "Since you are young, you
have God’s permission to live a wild lifestyle if you will promise to
live for Him when you get older." Nor does Paul tell Timothy, "While you
are young, give the older generation a reason or an excuse to get on
your case about the way you are living and acting." On the contrary, the
apostle commands Timothy to do exactly the opposite! This young man is
instructed to live a blameless life and be an example to others so those
who are older will not have a reason to look down on him.
Second, we must realize that the older
generation who often "gets on our case" is not solely to blame. Many
young people today do everything in their power to rebel and shock those
who are older. Our generation frequently gives our elders good reasons
to criticize our attitudes and behavior. But Paul tells Timothy: "Let no
man despise thy youth; but be thou an example."
See, we find from this verse that Paul
tells Timothy to silence those who would be critical of his age by
living an exemplary life. When Paul says, "Let no man despise thy youth,"
he is telling Timothy, "Don’t let older men and women look down on you
simply because you are young." How is Timothy to enforce this command?
He must not give them a reason to do so. Instead, he must live a life
that is blameless and be an example to believers and unbelievers alike
of how to honor and please God. To be an example "of the believers"
means he is to be an example to other believers as well as to those who
are unsaved.
In the New Testament, Paul also
addressed another young man, Titus, and told him, "In all things shewing
thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness,
gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that
is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of
you" (Titus 2:7, 8). As a young man, Titus was to be an example, a
pattern, to all other believers in many areas of his life including his
doctrine, his speech and his sincerity. Living an exemplary life was not
only honoring to God, but it also stopped the mouths of those who would
be critical of him simply because he was young.
No one today can claim that young
people do not have the ability to be leaders, to be righteous, to be
holy or even to understand the teaching of the Word of God (correct
doctrine). No, both Timothy and Titus were urged to be examples in all
areas of their lives. Paul trusted Timothy to the extent that he even
commanded him to stay in the city of Ephesus in order to "charge
[command] some that they teach no other doctrine" (1 Tim. 1:3). That was
certainly a big responsibility for a young man!
First Timothy 4:12 is such an
important verse, for it gives us six areas in which we as young people
are to be examples to other believers and unbelievers. As you look
carefully at each point, search your heart and ask yourself whether or
not you are measuring up as a Godly example to other young people and
older individuals alike. We must be an example of the believers:
"In Word"
We need to be an example to others in
our speech. To be an example "in word" involves our choice of words, the
content of our words and the delivery of our words. Our vocabulary must
be free from the swearing, cursing and filth that permeates the hearts
and minds of the unsaved. Scripture tells us that "out of the abundance
of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34). Therefore, when our
tongues spew forth cursings or filthy, unseemly words, we know that a
spiritual problem exists within our hearts that goes deeper than that
which simply comes out of our mouths.
As believers, we should never imitate
the vile language of the unsaved. Rather, we should desire for every
word that we say to be acceptable in the sight of God (read Psa. 19:14).
We must keep in mind that one day we will be held accountable for our
words, even if we say them without thinking first (see Matt. 12:36).
Therefore, we should be certain that we "let no corrupt communication
proceed out of [our] mouth" (Eph. 4:29).
Not only must we be an example in our
choice of words, but we must be sure that the content of our speech is
wholesome and edifying. When we open our mouths, do we tend to rip apart
certain individuals who come to our mind? Is our speech full of gossip
and harmful backbiting? Is our conversation pleasing to God, or do we
tend to repeat the latest off-color joke to our friends in order to get
a laugh? We must consider these questions. God’s Word tells us that
when we are saved we are to "put off ... filthy communication out of
[our] mouth" (Col. 3:8).
Finally, the delivery of our words
must also be honoring to God and exemplary before the world. Unless we
speak intelligibly and articulately, we will immediately lose the
respect and attention of those to whom we are speaking. We must be good
communicators. When we pepper our sentences with the latest slang and
slurs or when we mumble under our breath or speak so quickly that people
cannot understand what we are saying, we will not be able to gain the
attention of those with whom we wish to communicate. By not
communicating articulately, intelligently and clearly, we can forfeit an
opportunity to not only be a good example but to present the Gospel to
the lost or to edify another believer who needs to hear a word of
encouragement.
Biblical Example:
The Bible provides us with a good
example of a young man who carefully chose his words, spoke the truth
and clearly articulated his message. In 1 Samuel 3 we read about Samuel,
a young man whom God specifically used to be His spokesman to the nation
of Israel. In verse 19, God’s Word says, "And Samuel grew, and the
Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground."
Samuel gained favor in the eyes of God and of men (1 Sam. 2:26) because
he served the Lord and plainly spoke the very words God had given him to
speak. Had Samuel ruined his testimony through filthy language,
slanderous gossip or unintelligible speech, this young man would not
have been able to be used so mightily for the work and glory of the
Lord.
"In Conversation"
We also need to be an example to
others in our conduct. To be an example of the believers "in
conversation" involves our conduct (behavior) and our lifestyle. How do
we act around other people within our church or society, whether young
or old, saved or unsaved? Do we try to be as difficult, as cool, as
rebellious, as wild or as nonconformist as we can possibly be? Or do we
conduct ourselves in a manner that sets us apart from the world and
causes others to see something different in us? When others observe our
behavior, can they conclude that we are young people of integrity,
discernment and knowledge? If not, then we must change!
In Ephesians 4:22-30, God’s Word
tells us that when we are saved, we are to "put off the former
conversation [the way we lived and acted prior to our salvation]" which
includes lying, anger, stealing, filthy language, bitterness, wrath and
evil speaking. We must act differently than those who do not know
Christ, for the Holy Spirit indwells us and is grieved when we live like
the world. Under no circumstances are we to imitate the world. Those
Christians who think they can be like the world in order to reach the
world for Christ or who think they can remain attached to worldly
pleasures, attitudes or behaviors without experiencing the disapproval
of the Lord are only deceiving themselves, grieving the Holy Spirit and
bringing reproach to the name of Christ.
Not only are we to be examples in our
conduct and behavior, but in our lifestyle as well. As believers, our
interests and our priorities must be aligned with the revealed will of
God as found only in His Word. Rather than being drawn to the amusements
of the world, we must see to it that our lives honor and glorify our
Savior. Once again, God’s Word declares that we are to be holy "in all
manner of conversation [lifestyle]," that is, we are to be separated
from the world and set apart unto Christ in every area of our lives
(Rom. 12:2).
So many young people today profess to
know Christ as their Savior, yet they try to stay as close to the world
and its pleasures as they possibly can. "Christian" rock music, "Christian"
tattoos and body piercings, "Christian" concerts and now even "Christian"
bars and night clubs are all aimed at allowing young people to "Christianize"
the sins of the world. But the Word of God declares that the world and
all therein is "darkness" rather than light. It commands us to "love not
the world, neither the things that are in the world" (1 Jn. 2:15).
Although we are in the world, we are not of the world. The Bible says, "For
all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world"
(1 Jn. 2:16).
We must not embrace the world system
and its vain pleasures once we have become a new creation in Christ (2
Cor. 5:17). God is light; the world is darkness. Our love, loyalty and
allegiance will go to one or the other. Light and darkness cannot
coexist. Love for the things of the world and love for Christ are
completely incompatible.
Biblical Example:
Perhaps this area of conduct and
lifestyle is the most difficult area for most of us as young people to
conquer through obedience to the Word of God. But once again, the Bible
provides us with an account of several young people who exemplified what
it means to be blameless in conduct and lifestyle even though the
pressures they faced were far greater than any pressures we may
encounter today. They proved that a Godly lifestyle can be accomplished!
In Daniel chapter one, we find that
Daniel and his three young friends remained true to their God despite
being taken captive and subjected to pagan beliefs and practices. They
were strangers in a foreign land who found themselves separated from
their families and friends. They had every opportunity to begin enjoying
the sinful, worldly attractions and entertainment that surrounded them
in the land of Babylon, for there were no Godly adults to tell them what
to do or what to refrain from doing. Yet they refused to defile
themselves with the pleasures, foods and amusements of the pagan
Babylonian lifestyle. Why? Because their convictions were their own.
Other young Israelites were also taken captive, but they gave in to the
pressures to conform to the wicked Babylonian lifestyle. Daniel,
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did what was right because they were
young people with personal conviction. God rewarded them for their
separation from the world. Their behavior and lifestyle remained
exemplary throughout their captivity. We need to remember this account
of Daniel and his three friends when it seems as though it is impossible
for us to be different from the world or even from fellow Christians who
are following the world.
"In Charity"
We also need to be an example to
others by showing love and concern for the well-being of other believers
and unbelievers. The word "charity," or "love," in this verse does not
speak of affection or friendship, but rather of an unselfish,
sacrificial love for another. This agape love (agape is the Greek word
from which our English word "charity" [or "love"] is translated in this
text) means that we love our fellow Christians to the extent that we
sacrifice our own time, comfort or popularity in order to build them up
in the faith.
When we truly love others as we
should, we will sometimes need to reprove and correct them when they
begin to move in the wrong direction, even though doing so might cause
them to feel resentful toward us. We must understand that this agape
love is not shown by doing what the one we love desires, but what is
needful for them. This is the same love Christ had for us when He died
on the cross for our sins. As ungodly "enemies" of God (see Rom.
5:8-10), we did not want Him to die for us. But because He loved us so
much, He died for us anyway because He knew that was best for us; He
knew we needed a Savior, a Substitute to pay the price of our sin on
Calvary’s cross. First John 4:10, 11 says, "Herein is love, not that
we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the
propitiation [the wrath-removing sacrifice] for our sins. Beloved, if
God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."
If Christ loved us to such a great
extent, should not we love our Christian friends in like manner? For
example, when we see a friend begin to hang around with the wrong crowd
or begin to grow indifferent or apathetic towards the things of the
Lord, we must confront him in a kind, gentle manner and inform him that
he is heading in a destructive direction. Of course, our friend probably
will not appreciate it at the time and perhaps may not appreciate such
concern and reproof for many years to come. But our prerogative is to
love them; and true, sacrificial, selfless love will lead us to warn our
friends about their potentially destructive behavior or attitudes.
Not only must we love our Christian
friends, but we must also love the unsaved. We need to be an example of
the believers by telling others about what Christ has done for them. I
believe we especially need to give this message to other young people
who will often listen to what we have to say but will rarely listen to
other adults. What a marvelous privilege it is to be able to share the
life-changing message with others--that Jesus died for their sins and
that through trusting in His substitutionary death and resurrection
they, too, can possess peace with God and a personal relationship with
their Creator.
Biblical Example:
Jesus Christ Himself is the perfect
picture of a young man who loved all men. As a young boy, He obeyed His
parents and honored them in everything He did. As a young man of only 33
years old, Jesus suffered a cruel death on Calvary’s Cross. Do we love
others as Jesus loved all men? Are we willing to even suffer rejection
and scorn in order to help our Christian friends and to witness to those
who do not know Christ?
"In Spirit"
Not only do we need to be an example
of the believers in our speech, our conduct and our love for others, but
we also need to be an example to others in our inward attitudes. To be
an example "in spirit" means to not only outwardly do what we know is
right and honoring to God, but to do it with the right attitude. Often,
when parents, teachers, pastors or employers tell us to do something, we
do it because we have no choice but to obey. Yet inwardly, we are
frustrated, irritated or outright angry about what we are commanded to
do, and we let everyone know how we feel through our less-than-joyful
response. Our facial expressions, our mannerisms or even the tone of our
voice often reveals the attitude of our heart.
We all can think of times when we have
ruined our testimonies before other believers or even unbelievers, not
because we failed to be responsible or obedient, but because others
noticed that our attitude was downright ugly. God’s Word teaches us,
on the other hand, to do everything to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).
The apostle Paul tells us, "And whosoever ye do, do it heartily [that
is, with your whole heart], as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Col.
3:23). It is impossible for us to genuinely do everything to the glory
of God and simultaneously possess a bad attitude.
To be an example of the believers in
spirit means that we not only do all to God’s glory with a proper
attitude but it means that our inner-man conforms to the will of Christ.
Are we selfless, meek and humble, or are we proud, arrogant and boastful
(see Phil. 2:3-4 and 1 Peter 5:5-6)? To be an example in spirit also
means that we are sincere in everything we do (Josh. 24:14) and that we
are forgiving toward those who have wronged us or falsely accused us
(Eph. 4:32). The deeds of our spirit involve all our innermost qualities
and characteristics. We must be sure that we are doing what is right for
the right reason. A pure, selfless spirit will result in an attitude
that is glorifying to God and edifying to those around us.
Biblical Example:
An excellent Biblical example of a
young person who exemplified a proper spirit is David. Although Samuel
anointed David to be king of Israel when he was just a youth, David
never let his prestigious position go to his head. Prior to actually
becoming king of Israel, David continued to honor the present king,
Saul, with an upright spirit despite the fact that Saul was jealous of
David and had even tried to kill him. Although David once had the
opportunity to kill Saul as he slept, he refused to do so and, instead,
he cut off a portion of Saul’s robe as a sign to the king that he
could have killed him but that he chose to spare his life instead.
However, knowing that Saul was still God’s anointed king, David’s
conscience bothered him because he had even gone so far as to cut off a
portion of Saul’s robe in the first place (notice 1 Samuel 24:4-6).
David respected and honored Saul. He was a Godly example of what it
means to possess a humble, righteous spirit despite difficult
circumstances.
"In Faith"
As Christian young people, we also
need to be an example to others in our faith. This means that we must
know what we believe and we must know why we believe it. The word "faith"
in this verse does not simply mean that we have a belief in something,
but that we are firmly convicted in our belief. We are to know and study
God’s message to us, His Word, and we are to be fully persuaded and
convicted that His instructions to us are our final authority in all
matters of life.
However, it is important to realize
that we cannot have true convictions unless we truly know what God’s
Word has to say concerning how to live our lives. If someone questions
our beliefs, can we show them from Scripture the basis for our beliefs?
We need to set aside time each day to not just read the Bible, but to
study It! Do not neglect studying God’s Word simply because you think
you do not have enough time. One famous preacher, Charles Haddon
Spurgeon, once stated, "I would rather let my soul soak in half a dozen
verses of the Bible all day than rinse my hand in several chapters." The
point is this--be sure to study God’s Word, and do not rush through
It. Oftentimes, we begin a Bible reading schedule, and after a few
weeks, or even a few days, we are behind and simply give up reading the
Bible altogether. When this happens, or perhaps if this is the case
right now, forget the failed attempt and move on--start reading and
studying the Bible again today! Even if you can only manage to get
through a few verses each day, it is important that you do not neglect
to daily walk with your God by reading His Word and communicating with
Him through prayer.
Our personal walk with God is more
important than anything else in this world! If our daily time of
personal, quiet fellowship with God is neglected, then we will fail to
be the kind of Godly examples we need to be in word, in conversation, in
charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity.
Sadly, many young people and older
people alike have lost their faith and their confidence, either in the
truths of God’s Word or in the world around them. They feel as though
they cannot believe in anything anymore. People have failed them.
Churches have disappointed them. Friends and family members have used
them and deserted them. They feel like it is no longer possible to be
certain about anything. Their hopelessness and lack of confidence is
evident in their lifestyles, their music, their books, their appearance
and their beliefs.
Other professing Christian young
people sometimes feel that what they believe is not even that important.
They think God’s Word is not entirely applicable to them, or they
cling to the idea that the truths contained in God’s Word can be
altered and changed as culture and society shifts all around us. They
are not grounded in the truths of God’s Word. They echo the pleas of
the compromising adults who are urging all denominations or all
religions to forget their differences and join together in common cause.
This unscriptural attitude that disregards Biblical doctrine for the
sake of "unity" permeates our society today at all levels, even among
youth.
Still other young people feel that
everything is fine with their lives. They feel as though they do not
need a close relationship with Christ, or perhaps they think that they
actually do possess a proper relationship with Him when, in reality,
they do not. These young people quickly throw their "faith" out the
window when it is not convenient or advantageous for them to hold to it.
They know what God’s Word says on a particular topic, but they are not
willing to obey It and apply It to their own lives.
But as young people today who are
exhorted to be examples "in faith," we need to believe in Christ,
believe the Bible, be grounded in our faith and be ready to be faithful
to our Lord no matter who or what disappoints us. God tells us in His
Word to "grow in faith" (2 Thess. 1:3), to "follow faith" (2 Tim. 2:2)
and to "hold fast the profession of our faith" (Heb. 10:23). We need to
allow our unwavering faith in God and in His Word to be seen by all! God
has promised to never leave nor forsake those who come to Him on His
terms. We may fail God at times by our lack of faith in Him and in His
Word, but He will never fail us.
Sure, we might feel like we are all
alone at times as we stand for the truth and serve Him as an example "in
faith" when no one else seems to hold the same Bible-based convictions
that we do. But we must never forget that faithfulness and obedience to
our Lord will always bring joy and reward while disobedience and
compromise will always bring chastisement and regret.
Biblical Example:
Gideon is a prime example of a young
man who remained faithful to God despite difficult circumstances. He is
listed in Hebrews 11, the "faith chapter," as a young man who "out of
weakness [was] made strong" (verse 34) because he followed God’s
orders even though they seemed to be unreasonable by man’s standards.
Even today, we may feel that it is unreasonable for God to require us to
separate from worldly pleasures and amusements or from worldly friends
who have no interest nor regard for the things of the Lord. But our
separation from these only makes us purer vessels that are "meet for the
Master’s use."
Remember, God has a plan and purpose
for our lives today! But in order to be used by God, we must be
separated from that which draws us away from Him and separated unto the
Lord Himself. The cost is worth it! Gideon heeded God’s seemingly
unreasonable commands and won victory after victory as a result.
"In Purity"
Finally, we read in 1 Timothy 4:12
that we need to be an example to others in our purity. You probably
guessed it--this refers to sexual purity, which God explicitly requires
of all believers. All young people today, including Christian young
people, face extraordinary pressure to become sexually active. We are
surrounded by music, television, magazines, books and games that all
urge us in some way or another to express ourselves sexually and to
delve into that which God has forbidden at this stage in our lives.
Without reservation, the Word of God explicitly forbids sexual activity
outside the bounds of marriage, despite the fact that the society in
which we live readily accepts fornication and immorality as "normal" and
even glorifies it.
Paul explains God’s will for our
lives in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4. He writes, "For this is the will of God,
even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication." He
continues to tell us that we must "know how to possess [our bodies] in
sanctification and honor." While we might not yet know God’s will for
our lives concerning our future spouse, schooling or occupation, we do
know that God’s will for our lives right now is to "abstain from
fornication."
Not only are we to "abstain from
fornication," but in 1 Corinthians 6:18, God specifically tells us to "flee
fornication." This means we are to turn and run from the opportunity,
should it arise, to enter into a sexual relationship with another
individual outside the bounds of marriage. Why is God’s Word so
forthright concerning this matter? Because It tells us in the next verse
that our body "is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in [us]." It
continues, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in
your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." If we are saved, our
bodies belong to God, not to ourselves. Therefore, we must be sure that
we never use our bodies in any manner which brings shame and dishonor to
our Master. Sexual activity outside of marriage is not only shameful and
dishonoring to God, but it ruins our relationship with Him and carries
with it a host of other long-lasting problems as well. It is impossible
for us to remain in God’s will and simultaneously defile our bodies
through the sin of fornication.
Paul also tells us in 2 Timothy 2:22
to "flee youthful lusts." In the previous verses, Paul states that in
order to be used by God, we must separate ourselves from that which
would defile our minds and bodies. If we do separate from all
unrighteousness, including sexual immorality, God says we will "be a
vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and
prepared unto every good work" (2 Tim. 2:21). God knows that we as young
people especially tend to face sexual pressures, and His answer to us is
to "flee" from that which would corrupt our bodies. Run away!
Biblical Example:
Again, God’s Word tells us about a
young person who exemplified what it truly means to be sexually and
morally pure. Remember Joseph? First, his jealous brothers sold him into
slavery. Then, his master’s wife attempted to seduce him. How did
Joseph respond? He turned and ran away from her. The Bible says he "fled,
and got him out" (Gen. 39:12). Joseph knew the difference between right
and wrong and said, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin
against God?" (Gen. 39:9). Joseph realized that to commit fornication
was "great wickedness" and a "sin against God." We must, like Joseph, do
what is right for the right reasons. We must flee from immorality and
refuse to use our bodies as "instruments of unrighteousness."
Some Final Thoughts:
It certainly is not becoming any
easier to live for the Lord and maintain a consistent testimony for
Christ in this evil world. The world is not becoming a more righteous,
moral place to live. People in this world, including many Christians,
are certainly not encouraging nor supporting those of us who desire to
become more grounded in our faith or who purpose to honor Christ through
holy, separated lives. On the contrary, Satan is trying to do everything
he can to discourage us, to make us feel alone, to pressure us to "loosen
up" and to persuade us to be more accepting of other religions, beliefs
and philosophies. But we must remember that we are called by God, right
now, to be examples of the believers in word, in conversation, in
charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity. Consider these final
thoughts:
First, hypocrisy on the part of those
who are older than us is no excuse for us to "throw in the towel" and
conclude that our relationship with God is not important. Neither is
disobedience and compromise on the part of those who are older than us
an excuse for us to follow their bad example and to believe that God is
not entirely concerned about our obedience to Him. Just as it is wrong
for the unsaved to refuse to believe in Jesus Christ due to the
hypocrisy of many believers, it is equally wrong for Christian young
people to feel as though they do not need to be genuine, sincere and
obedient because some older believers come up short in this regard.
Second, we must remember that we do
not need to be raised in a Christian home or experience the support of
Christian parents or family members in order to honor God and walk close
to Him. Many Christian young people who come from broken homes, who live
with abusive parents or who have never received a word of encouragement
or support from their families are being wonderful, Godly examples "of
the believers." They draw upon the Lord for strength and look to His
Word for encouragement, help and instruction.
Neither do we need to be a part of
some large church or "successful" youth group in order to walk close to
God and fulfill His will for our lives. Of course, if you are blessed
with a Godly pastor and a Christ-honoring youth group, be sure to be
supportive of your church leaders and participate in your church
activities. But we must remember that God honors and addresses in His
Word individuals, not programs or youth groups or "successful" youth
ministries. In fact, identification with such is often a hindrance to a
God-honoring Christian walk and witness because what occurs in many
youth groups and youth programs is actually a reproach to the cause of
Christ.
Remember, God speaks to us through His
Word as individuals. He works with us as individuals. We do not need to
be a part of a large, "dynamic" youth group, ministry or program to be
blessed by God and used for His purposes. Nor does our home environment
need to be the "ideal" situation. We are individuals. God speaks to us
individually. We must possess a personal, individual relationship with
God. We are individually responsible for our walk with Him.
Third, remember that God is not
calling some of us into full-time Christian service, some of us into
part-time Christian service and some of us into the "Christian reserves"
when we get older. No, He calls each one of us into service for Him at
this very moment. We need to act now! Tomorrow may be too late! Christ
could suddenly wipe out our existence or return in the Rapture when we
least expect it, and we need to be ready to face Him and give Him an
answer for what we thought, said and did (or failed to do) while on this
earth.
Fourth, be sincere in your walk with
God and your conduct before others, but be sincerely right. Do not base
your sincerity on what someone else is telling you or on your own
emotional experiences. Rather, find out from the Word of God how to live
the Christian life and genuinely possess a relationship with Christ. God
tells us we are to "be sincere and without offence" (Phil. 1:10). This
means we must be sincere and blameless before God. Sincerity alone is
not enough. We are to serve God "in sincerity and in truth" (Josh.
24:14). Trying to muster up sincerity through emotionally-charged music,
videos or even preaching is shallow and futile. True and lasting
sincerity must be based entirely on God’s unchanging Word.
Finally, never give up. When we fail
the Lord in various areas of our lives (and we all will certainly fail
Him at times), get back on track through prayer and Bible study and keep
purposing to please Him in everything you do. Keep striving to be an
example "of the believers." Jesus Christ earnestly desires to help us,
walk with us and strengthen us in every area of our lives. All we need
to do is to obey Him and yield ourselves to Him and to His will.
Difficult times will come--loneliness, anxiety, peer pressure and
discouragement will look us straight into the eyes at times. But God is
always faithful to us. Purpose to remain faithful to Him.
Matt Costella
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