Summer

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe in word, manner of life, love, faith, and purity” (1 Timothy 4:12. Scriptures from ASV unless otherwise noted).

— Jim Parkinson

The young adult has more skill and experience than the babe, and more physical strength than the grandparent. The challenge is to use it wisely. Abel used his youth to offer an acceptable sacrifice to Yehovah God; Cain did not (Genesis 4). Abraham’s nephew Lot unwisely chose to move toward and then into Sodom, costing him his wife and possessions, but by hosting angels, he saved his life (Genesis chapters 13 and 19). The young man Joseph was faithful and, eventually, saved his whole family from starvation and death (Genesis 39-47).

Lessons from the Apostles’ Time

The Apostle Paul wrote, “unto Timothy, my true child in faith.” Then, “This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee” (1 Timothy 1:2, 18). Timothy had been faithful throughout (2 Timothy 1:5).

Another youth was not so constant. Mark (Hebrew name, Johanan, or John) initially went with Paul and Barnabas but deserted them at Pamphylia (modern south-central Turkey). So, Paul refused to take him on his next missionary journey (Acts 13:13, 15:36-39). Yet, Mark grew spiritually to the point where Paul later said, “Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering” (2 Timothy 4:11, Colossians 4:10-11).

The young adult is in the physical “prime” of life, even if not yet in the prime of wisdom. The Christian goal is to be like Timothy, zealous and dependable. Yet if one slips, he should take heart from John Mark and get up and try again. Others, young Christians or old, will occasionally be let down by another. Let each remember that, in time, the offender may change. Always be on watch for such changes. (Would we write off the Apostle Peter for denying our Lord Jesus Christ three times? John 18.)

Make the Most of Our Opportunities

What does it take for us to please God and to help man?

God desires that we grow our characters, and “as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10). It is needful to read and study the word of God, especially looking for applications in our daily lives, and witness what we know to others as we have opportunity.

Service toward the household of faith is important because they are currently on trial for life. Yet, doing good “toward all men” is also pleasing to the Lord. Think and pray about the good you would do for others, and then do it.

A Spouse to Be?

When considering marriage, one must ask, Am I thinking more about what I can do for my potential spouse than what that spouse can do for me? It is important to understand what each can do for the other for marriage to become beneficial for each partner.

How does a young man know what kind of wife a young lady would make? Watch how she treats others. How she treats them is likely how she will treat her husband after marriage.

Young ladies can use the same approach to evaluate a potential husband.

Every marriage will experience difficult times as well as happy ones. These experiences can either draw couples together as a team or drive a wedge between them. It takes determined effort to strengthen the bond through hard times. Marriage vows generally include the phrase “till death do us part.” The wise couple will be determined to make that promise a reality.

Towards the Heavenly Marriage

Our Lord Jesus also evaluates each of us as to how suitable we can be as part of His Bride: How do we treat others in this life? It is the principle of Matthew 25:40, “Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.” And “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35). Rebekah distinguished herself when Abraham’s servant asked for water. She gave him to drink and volunteered to draw for his ten camels. She unknowingly showed herself as a worthy bride for Isaac (Genesis 24). The desire to help others is a distinguishing characteristic in those found worthy to be a part of the bride of our Lord Jesus Christ. A reasonable question to ask ourselves is, Am I now thinking more about what I can do to serve my Lord than about what more He can do for me?

Service in the Church

One need not have an appointed or elected office to help the brethren. A desire to serve others should come from the heart. Some positions within the church are chosen by the ecclesia, such as teaching scripture. Deacons, too, must lead an honorable Christian life (1Timothy 3:1-7, 8-13, Titus 1:6-9). Yet before any of their service can be acceptable to God, they must prove themselves by their actions and how they live.

The measure of a good person is often known by what he or she will do when they think no one is watching.

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your logical [reasonable] service” (Romans 12:1 RVIC). There are three aspects described in this text. (1) We are to sacrifice, for our God. (2) It is to be a living sacrifice, not passive, but active, seeking ways to serve others. (3) “A living sacrifice,” along with many other bodies, comprises one sacrifice; an implication to cooperate with other body members.

Proper Obligations

It is proper that everyone earns a living, either for themselves or their families, or possibly for their future family. The Apostle Paul gave us an example. He was “working night and day, that we might not burden any of you. … If any will not work, neither let him eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:8-12). However, no one should allow their spiritual duties to cause them to neglect their earthly responsibilities.

We must each evaluate how much time we need to spend on providing for our temporal needs. While that may vary, according to circumstances, Paul advised some who had been thieves before their conversion. He wrote, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need” (Ephesians 4:28). Paul’s reasoning suggests that working can also benefit others beside family members. This generous spirit is certainly pleasing to God.

Parents must also provide for their children. Paul said, “The children ought not lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children” (2 Corinthians 12:14). The natural inclination for most is to desire more than we need. The scriptural council is clear. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). Yet, “Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).

Cautions for the Young Adult Christian

Pride is a dangerous quality of the heart, especially for Christians. Starting at the Garden of Eden, pride has been mankind’s number one enemy. It previously caused Satan’s fall, as indicated by his own words. “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God … I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). Many businessmen, politicians, and famous individuals have discovered that “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Proverbs 16:17-19).

The young adult Christian may wonder why he or she is not allowed to share in some service, and there may be a temptation to hurt feelings. Hurt feelings are often synonymous with hurt pride. Pride and hurt feelings can be an open door for the Adversary, and nothing good can result. The Apostle John’s profound words should move us to humble submission and a desire to serve others: “[My] Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18).

Knowledge for the Christian

Knowledge is good when it can be applied for good. At the time of the early church, the Gnostics said that salvation is by knowledge. The Apostle John alerts us in his writings to that error. The first three verses of his Gospel set forth his thesis, and then he spends the rest of the chapters proving it. Jesus came from heaven; he was made flesh and received his commission from heaven. He died to cancel the Adamic curse and was then raised to the divine nature. That is the church’s salvation now, and soon for the rest of the world.

Salvation is not by knowledge but by Jesus Christ. Knowledge is needful to know God’s will for us. Knowing how to apply knowledge in our daily lives results in wisdom. (Proverbs 8).

Dealing With Differences

Inevitably, everyone will encounter situations in which they differ from others. Knowing how to behave in those situations is essential. If I want others to listen to what I have to say, I should be prepared to listen to what the other has to say. If he makes a good point, it should be acknowledged and respected. Our tone of voice and demeanor often have much to do with creating a reasonable discussion that avoids anger and hurt feelings. Our flesh may be tempted to insist on our view. However, an open and reasoning mind is helpful in our interaction with others. In Jesus’ model prayer he said, “deliver us from the Evil One” (Matthew 6:13): The Greek word for the “Evil One” is Poneros. It describes the one who whispers in your ear to get you to do an evil deed, and then he hides (as though innocent). We need to be vigilant, lest we be “ignorant of [Satan’s] devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

A Concluding Thought

If young adult Christians should live to old age, their fondest memories will not be of the places they have been, the contests won, or how much money or possessions they have accumulated. The service done for others and the precious relationships developed over the years will be among their treasured memories.