Youth on Fire for God

There’s perhaps no other period in life with more chops and changes than one’s youth.

With so many new circumstances to face and so many new people to meet, our young folk need to be well grounded in God. But how?!

Today, I’d like to help out by giving ten tips for all our young people out there.

1.- Rejoice in the Grace of Christ

Before thinking about how you’ve got to live, first of all what you most need to cherish most is the grace of Christ. If you don’t remember how much Christ loves you, it won’t be all that easy to love others.

So, before thinking about what you have to do for God, remember what He has done for you (Galatians 2:20)! That way, obedience will be much more joyful and thrilling.

2.- Devour the Bible

Every young Christian must feed off Scripture as if they were hungry babies. Keep the Bible central. Don’t say “Amen” to anything that isn’t sanctioned by the Word of God. Don’t pay attention to any voice that leads you away from the Book.

Read the Bible day and night, night and day. Build your life and your future upon the Word. God has promised to honour those who honour Him (1 Samuel 2:30).

3.- Pray, Pray, Pray...

Make sure your heart is always in tune with the Lord via prayer. Even when you’re not at church or in your bedroom, pray unto the Lord again and again.

Whilst you’re doing the washing up, pray! When you’re strolling down the street, give God the glory!

Take advantage of every moment to mediate upon the Almighty and to direct your soul to the only Sovereign One (1 Thessalonians 5:17)!

4.- Keep (Sexually) Pure

Your body isn’t yours. Your members aren’t yours. Your eyes aren’t yours. Your hands aren’t yours. You’re a living temple of the Spirit of God. Everything you have is His. You belong to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, be sure to distance yourself from anything and anyone that would compromise your purity.

Keep sexually pure. Keep your virginity as a blessed and precious gift to bestow upon your spouse on your wedding night (Hebrews 13:4).

5.- Serve in Your Local Church

God has given you an abundance of gifts and talents. So use them for the glory of His name. You’ll see how He opens doors for you to put them into practice. Instead of waiting for everyone else to wait on your needs, why not start by serving others?

Talk to your pastor and tell him, “Pastor, count on me for whatever the church needs. I want to be a blessing for my brothers and sisters in the Lord!”

Help in all you can. Learn to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. That way, the incomparable love of Christ will be made known through your life (Galatians 5:13).

6.- Study Sound Doctrine

Read edifying books. Spend time discussing good literature with other serious young folk. Why not start a reading group? How about starting with Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology or Arthur Pink’s The Sovereignty of God?

Get your hands on anything penned by Charles Spurgeon or Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Read, read and read!

Get passionate about the five pillars of our Protestant faith: Sola Scriptura, Sola gratia, Solus Christus, Sola fide and Soli Deo gloria. Ask the Lord to seal these doctrinal truths deep in your soul (Titus 2:1).

7.- Work Your Socks Off

Don’t be lazy. The Bible tells us not to be slothful but to be imitators of those who through faith and patience receive the promises of God (Hebrews 6:12). Get to work!

Be the best worker you can! Work like Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon. When your boss asks you to do something, do it with all of your strength.

When you’re at work, recall that your work ethic is a great way to shine for the Lord Jesus. Worship the Lord through your hard work. God will rejoice! Obey your authorities and do more than they ask of you (Matthew 5:41).

8.- Lose Your Ego

Even if you realize you’re more intelligent or charismatic than other people, keep humble. Don’t think highly of yourself (Galatians 6:3). Keep low.

Learn from older folk at church. They are wiser, more experienced and more mature than you. You need them. Don’t think your God’s gift to the world. You’re not indispensable. God’s kingdom will advance with or without you.

Be sure to ask the Lord to keep you humble (Isaiah 66:2).

9.- Grow up

Get mature a.s.a.p. Accept responsibilities. Commit yourself. There’s no point putting off maturity. Aim to be an adult. Stop getting on like a child.

The Lord doesn’t want you to be the church clown. He wants you to be serious and sober (1 Corinthians 16:13).

10.- Remember the Gospel

Don’t forget that you won’t be able to follow any godly advice without the power of God working in your life. Remember that your identity resides in Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

So stay focused on Christ, His cross and resurrection (1 Corinthians 2:2). Preach the Gospel to yourself every day of the week. And may the joy of the Good News of Christ birth a fiery loyalty to the Lord in all things!