How Young People Must Live

Yes, the wisest man Solomon had it all and lived a long life overflowing with money, power, fame, and many women. Yet he also lamented that all his wealth and fame still did not satisfy him - it was all vanity of vanties and "striving after wind" without God. Young people need to heed the wisdom and advice of King Solomon. Those who do so will find a reservoir of godly counsel to guide them around the pitfalls of bad choices and give them joy in life. Those who don’t will inevitably fall victim to the sinful temptations of youth and bear the painful consequences of foolish actions throughout their life. Let me just highlight two key sayings of this wise man and hope we can take heed, learn wisdom, and thereby enjoy life!

1. Remember Your Creator (Eccl 12:1):
Yes, you do have a Creator! You did not evolve from apes or lower life forms as "scientific theories" would have you believe. Here is the truth: you were designed by divine hands. Believe it or not, there really is a God given purpose for your existence and the secret is not found in searching the world around you but is in the Word of God. Your youth is the very best time in your life to seek your Creator!

Remember, as you sow so you reap. But Satan, the great deceiver, gets people to forget about the results of their actions by reinforcing instant, momentary pleasure. Yes, sin is pleasurable for a season but it will never bring forth a good harvest. So, start sowing good seeds in your life by fleeing from evil and pursuing the treasures of wisdom which are found in the Bible and in the Lord Jesus Christ. You will most certainly reap a harvest of life!

2. Fear God and Keep His commandments (Eccl 12:13):
After living his life, King Solomon concluded that to fear and obey God is more important than anything else. Because, he says, "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14). The fear of God and finding His wisdom is the path to a joyful life. The fear of the Lord is turning away from evil and turning toward God with all your heart.

Instead of adults looking down on teenagers and despising the folly of adolescence, Paul tells Timothy to set the high bar for the adults! "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" (I Timothy 4:12). Young men and women, set a high standard of godliness for others by your words,

your way of life, your Christ-like love, your passionate zeal of the Word, your steadfast trust in God, and your pure heart. And don’t forget to "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (II Timothy 2:22).

My prayer is that you would have the courage to purge out anything in your life that keeps you from a close walk with your Creator. The Almighty God wants to be the pilot of your life, taking you on a magnificent adventure called abundant living in Jesus Christ. It is deeply fulfilling and eternally rewarding. Are you willing to seek Him with all your heart? May God help and bless you.

In His Grace,
Pr Mathews Abraham