Twenty-somethings raised in the church are growing up to be the nicest adults. They have the best intentions. They are sensitive to everyone’s triggers. They are so sincere! They have not been drunk since college. They are not trying to score heroin on the street at midnight. Most of them have never seen a prostitute and don’t know any criminals.
They treat their parents well. They may be living with a boyfriend or girlfriend, but they use protection. They believe in marriage, but when the time comes, they will look for a “venue,” not a church. They drink, but call an Uber if they’ve had too much. They vape a little, but they’re discreet. They may use THC, but they don’t talk about it in front of mom and dad—why upset them? They consume antioxidants, and if they are not vegan, they have friends who are. They adopt dogs from the shelter. They’re open to hybrid cars and they try to recycle. They workout, save money, and plan to be loving parents when they reach the right place in their careers. They don’t go to church much because the pickle ball club plays on Sundays, and after all, they can always stream a sermon, so what’s the big deal?
And why read the Bible when you already know how to be a good person? And building their online brand takes so much time…
The problem with these nice young people is that Jesus is not the Lord of their lives. Who is? They are. It is all about Self: selfishness, self-centeredness, and self-care. And it’s not entirely their fault. My generation has raised the younger generation to seek happiness above all other considerations.
But this is a massive loss, a crushing blow to the world of the future. Why? Because young people–and only young people–have the power to make the world a better place. Every great revival or revolution in history started with young people. Young people have passion and energy and the stubbornness to see things through. When those traits are employed for the Kingdom of God, amazing things happen. Yet America has raised a generation of young adults that don’t realize they would be happier if inspired to serve a cause bigger than themselves!
Today’s young adults have small dreams: money in the bank, well-kept lawns, and children who play select sports year-round.
We are in a time of great APOSTASY: we are falling away from God. And if young people have no time for God, how will their children know Him?
“In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem [of idol worship]” 2 Chronicles 34:3.
King Josiah was only 16 when he began to seek God, and he changed the nation!
Paul gave Timothy specific advice about how the young pastor could make a difference in five areas:
“Let no one look down on you because you are young, but rather set an example by your 1)SPEECH, 2)CONDUCT, 3)LOVE, 4)FAITHFULNESS, and 5)PURITY” 1 Timothy 4:12.
The time to give your life to Christ is now. The time to seek Him and surrender ALL to Him is while you are YOUNG! Being a teen or a young adult is exciting, but you must give those critical years to God.
“Don’t let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator. Honor him in your youth before the evil years come—when you’ll no longer enjoy living.” Ecclesiastes 12:1 (TLB).
Love Jesus. Bow before Him and make Him your LORD. Put your WHOLE LIFE in His hands. Then live for him and let your life be an example to others. Like Josiah, you can make a difference. Young people can often make the greatest difference of all!
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