1. “We must show that it means something to us before we can expect it
to mean anything to them”. TEACH BY EXAMPLE. Let them know that
truthfully, Christianity is not easy and is definitely not for show.
We have to battle our will to stay true to God. Inward convictions
must be revealed outwardly, without contradiction, whatever we SAY
that we DO. We cannot tell them the Lord will provide and ten minutes
later grumble we have no money; instead in everything give thanks.
Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, action speaks louder than voice-put away
un-Christian habits, tell ourselves “others may, I cannot.” These
youngsters today are very good imitators, imagine that when we fight
against and shun the very appearance of evil they may quickly follow
suit. We should let them see that Christ does not make unpleasant
demands. He offers what they can get in the world except it is good,
clean and pure. Enjoyment in the form of watching religious movies
and playing scrabble leave them feeling good all over instead of
waking up with a hangover wondering what they did in a moment of
insanity. Too often they are led to believe that Christianity is
restricting like a straight jacket; show them what we mean when we say
Christ brings freedom. Seek God for Who He is and not as a means to
something else. If we seek other objects and not God alone we may just
get them, minus God of course. The young person may ask “what’s in it
for me?” answer “joy unspeakable”, but we cannot say joy and act as if
we are mourning. If I wake up broke and in pain, at the end of the day
I may still be broke and in pain BUT, my attitude of gratitude may
very well draw someone to check out this God who can cause someone so
much pleasure in the midst of pain. Christianity is void without
righteousness so we cannot accept Christ without forsaking the world.
We cannot be lovers of the world and still be a friend of God;
remember we are living examples, training Joshuas and Timothys and do
not want to mislead either by word or deed. Spiritual work can’t be
done without spiritual power and that must also be entrenched in the
hearts of the younger generation. (Even though I repeatedly say “we
have to teach” or “we have to live”, nothing is possible without the
Holy Spirit.)
2. Without faith it is impossible to please God so our relationship
with Him is dependent on it. True faith rests upon the Character of
God and asks no further proof than that if God said it, it is so. It
removes hopelessness and motivates us so we need to steer the youth in
the direction they ought to go through the Word. I absolutely agree
with the three true foundations of the Faith and when we take steps to
lead the youth via these truths, they will in time bear good fruit
that will remain. REDEMPTION: Before Christ came God used the Law as
punishment to constrain sin in people’s lives. It lessened Satan’s
inroads and made everyone guilty before God with no hope of justice.
We needed mercy and that’s what Christ gave. We are now redeemed
bought with a price, His blood shed ONCE for ALL. We should have been
crucified but not been worthy, God instead placed our sins on Jesus
who took the punishment for us. Paid in full- all we have to do is
believe and receive, His sacrifice is the reason our relationship with
God is changed forever. When we understand and fully appreciate this,
we will live for Jesus with firm faith, unmovable, unshakeable so our
youths will be more encouraged to seek/stay with Him. RELATIONSHIP:
It all started with Adam and Eve. They had a relationship with God
that all Christians crave today. They walked and talked with God
everyday when it was cool. They were perfectly happy living in a
perfect world, and then came the snake. In order to tempt Eve to sin
he had her believe that God had His own interest at heart. Consider
that they did not know God half as much as we do today. We know Him
through His Word so we are better prepared to resist the devil than
Adam and Eve were. Hosea stated that “My people are destroyed from
lack of knowledge.” We however, have knowledge through His Word. As
if that wasn’t enough, He gave us His Son. We should live and teach
the youth about the relationship God wants with us again. He longs for
that intimacy where He inhabits His rightful dwelling place our inner
being-that intimately private place that no creature can intrude. Show
and teach that all should LOVE one another as Christ love the Church.
They should know that we have a Living purpose and a purpose for
living and we cannot do it by ourselves. Obedience to the call of
Christ is a huge promotion, much higher than any job they may have or
hope to attain, so the message should be clear. RESTORATION: The basic
concept of restoration is to turn back; to be complete; to make whole
again. The root of all evil in human nature is the corruption of the
will. When we change our moral purpose we change the soul’s direction.
Restoration is up to us because Christ already did His part. He is
angry because of our sins but His anger will not keep forever. We must
return to God or we have no hope of being saved. Christ is the Way and
enters only by invitation of faith. “Behold I stand at the door and
knock, if any man hears My voice and opens the door I will come in..”
He wants to reestablish residence in our heart so our joy will be
full. Going through the motions of baptism, church membership,
speaking in tongues are merely snares, deceiving one into false sense
of security if the “Spirit Himself does not bear witness with our
spirit that we are children of God.” We need to change our moral and
spiritual compass as only true conviction, not nominal belief, will
get/keep us closer to God. He will erase our sins so we get a
refreshing from His presence only when we focus on: God’s priorities;
our return to godly living and causing our hearts to be ruled by God.
What does this all mean for our youths? For those of us who have
children an important place to start is in the home. Let them see that
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, that when we do spiritual
battle at home that’s what we take to church on Sunday. How strange it
must seem to them when we are silent at home but go to church
‘blazing’, they must be wondering what got into us. (In Jamaican
vernacular ‘ learn to dance a yawd before you go abroad.’) One of the
most remarkable declarations in the New Testament is this “The true
worshippers shall worship the Father… He is Spirit… those who worship
must worship in spirit and in truth.” Let us therefore teach by
example so the young people will take their rightful place and know
that “NO RESTORATION, NO MARRIAGE SUPPER”, either eternal life or
eternal damnation.