Sometimes adult Christians don’t make many provisions to include young people in the Lord’s work. Perhaps you feel left out.
Youth has certain advantages, but it also places certain limitations on you. Young people find it a struggle just to gain acceptance and respect from adults.
How can you be a productive servant of the Lord under that kind of pressure?
What can young people do to bring glory to God now, while they are still young?
One of the most important things you can do is be an example.
All kinds of people are watching you—especially young children who want to be just like you.
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
- (1 Timothy 4:12)
There are many ways that you can be an example.
In Word:
What kind of things do you talk about? The latest fashion trends? Music? School ball teams? Television shows? Sports?
None of these interests are wrong, but couldn’t you talk with others about the Bible too?
In Conduct:
You can make sure you stay out of trouble. You can quit ‘copping attitude’ with your parents. You can show more reverence to God when you assemble to worship Him. You can participate more in the worship by singing louder, praying more fervently, and giving more cheerfully. Young men can learn to participate more in the public portions of worship.
In Love:
Do you hold grudges? Are you forgiving? Do you still have enemies at school now that you are a Christian? Jesus said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44).
Do more of that.
In Spirit:
Have you put on the "fruit of the Spirit"—the positive characteristics which come by walking according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh? "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23).
In Faith:
What kind of choices are you making when your faith is tested? Are you choosing school activities over church? Have you done all you can to make clear your desires about not having to engage in other activities when the church is meeting for worship?
In Purity:
Stay away from sex before marriage. Avoid compromising positions and situations with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Stay away from alcohol and don’t even take the first drag off a cigarette or joint.
Why should you do all this?
Not to please your parents or people at church.
Do it to please your heavenly Father!
Then you will be a faithful example both to those who are and those who aren’t Christians.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
Read more articles by Gale Henderson or search for articles on the same topic or others.
