Arise O Youth of God! : Youth Newsletter


COURAGE TO LIVE RIGHT IN THE LAST DAYS

Daniel 1: 8, 6: 4-10; Deuteronomy 31:6

Courage is the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action. Daniel, in our text, demonstrated courage to live right when he purposed not to defile himself nor stop praying to his God. Christian youths, therefore, should stand courageously against compromise and sin in this evil world. Christ is coming to take to Himself a church without spot or wrinkle. Events around us are pointing to the fact that the coming of the Lord is at hand. Then, “what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). Christian youths need to know the evil and dangers of the last days, be on their guard and pursue a course totally at variance with the sinning and backslidden youths. There are rewards for courageous Christian youths who maintain consistent holy living to the end.

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LAST DAYS

2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Matthew 24:37,38; 2 Corinthians 4:4.

The last days are dangerous days. They are days of compromise, sin, backsliding and apostasy. The Bible lists the following as characteristics of youths in the last days. (i) They shall be lovers of their own selves. (ii) Proud, boastful, disobedient to parents, ungrateful and unholy (iii) without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, and violent. (iv) Untrustworthy and lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. (v) Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof (vi) Followers of false prophets, false teachers and general godlessness. All these represent the values and norms that are direct opposite of what Christ stands for. The devil has blurred the vision of many youths to the true opinion of God such that they are separated from God by living in the sinful lusts of the flesh, corruption and depravity (2 Corinthians 4:4). The last days are full of wickedness and works of evil; deceit, violence, murder, examination malpractice, fornication, pornography, and immoral fad and fashion, which are caused by Satan and his cohorts. Sport fanaticism, worldly music, pornography (on the web, mobile phone, etc.), street carnivals and jamboree, financial frauds, cult activities, materialism, and effeminate spirit are on the increase.

2. COURAGE TO LIVE RIGHT IN THE LAST DAYS

Genesis 39:7-9; Deuteronomy 31:6; Jeremiah 35:5-7; Daniel 1:8; 3:16-18; 2 Timothy 3:14; 1 Peter 2:9,11.

Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and the sons of Rechab stood steadfast amidst the evils of their generations. They feared only the God of heaven and despised the defilements of their days. A Christian youth is called out of the world into a heavenly inheritance. He must, therefore, live a life devoid of sin and reproach. He must be conscious of himself as a sojourner on earth moving towards the city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrew 11: 10, 14- 16). He must remember that though he dwells in the world, he is not of the world (John 17:14,16).

Holiness is the qualification for entering into the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 12: 14). Christian youths are, therefore, called to walk in the steps of the Master (1 Peter 2:21). To have the courage to live right as a citizen of heaven in this world, the following are imperative: (i) Separation from the world (1 John 2: 15-17). (ii) Shinning as light to the dark world (Matthew 5:16). (iii) Prayerfulness (Luke 18:1). (iv) Watchfulness (Matthew 12:42; I Peter 5:8). (v) Steadfastness in doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16). (vi) Christ-likeness (Colossians 2:6; Philippians 2:5-8, 15). (vii) Daily self examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). (viii) Setting a watch over your tongue (Psalm 141:3).

3. CROWNING OF THE COURAGEOUS CHRISTIAN YOUTH

2 Timothy 4:7,8; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10-11; 3:1-5.

A Christian youth that lives courageously and stands for the right to the end will receive many rewards from the Lord. Paul the Apostle said “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only ; but unto all them also that love his appearing”(2 Timothy 4:7,8). “Wherefore beloved, seeing ye look for suchnthings, be ye diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless” (II Peter 3:14).

God bless

“That ours sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: ……” Psalm 144:12