Lord’s Day, Vol. 2 No. 27
An Exhortation to Our Beloved Youths
The Apostle Paul warned that men and women in our generation, living in the last days prior to our Lord’s 2nd Coming, would be “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4b). They would turn a cold shoulder to the worship of God, to holy living, to sobriety. They are drunken and neglect to give honour and glory to God with their hearts and bodies. It is a sad but sobering truth. This is just one of eighteen characteristics of a wayward lifestyles highlighted in 2 Timothy 3:1-4.
When young men and women join the workforce after they have graduated from institutions of higher learning, many gradually are attracted to worldly pursuits and pleasures that shipwrecked their souls.
With work come material resources and purchasing power that could be abused on worldly indulgences and pleasures. The heart grows cold in the things of God. Soon, we do not see them in church anymore.
Why would they not give their talents for the advancement of God’s kingdom? Why would they choose to love mammon rather than God? Solomon admitted and regretfully testified of the futility of it all. Such a life is vanity is his conclusion, “I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 2:1) James observed the sad consequence of such a life, “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.” (James 5:5)
Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Hebrews 11:25). He saw the reality of eternal rewards and the deception of temporal pleasures.
In Luke 8:14, Jesus defined those “that fell among thorns…are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” (Luke 8:14) Worldly pleasure stifles the bearing of spiritual fruit.
The tilting of the balance often begins with an initial contact with a friend of the world. With the first invitation, comes the in-route that would eventually steal the heart from the love of God. This was Solomon’s sad experience. It ruined not only his own life but idolatry crept into Israel, impacting the nation for many hundreds of years thereafter.
1 Kings 11:1-2 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel,Ye shall not go in to them,neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
1 Kings 11:3-4 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. 4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
Therefore, Paul warned Christians the danger of such friendships, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
We are to refrain from developing such friendship.
How can we have victory over sinful worldly indulgences?
(a) Worship and Prayer
The child of God gives priority to the worship of God and prayer. He prepares his heart to come before God every Lord’s Day to thank and honour Him. This preparation involves making priority during the week. He finds areas of service in the Lord’s vineyard that strengthens his faith and devotion to God. He seeks to attend mid-week prayer meeting.
(b) Daily Quiet Time
The child of God gives priority to build a strong personal walk with God by a consistent and fruitful daily quiet time. Here, the child of God spends time in prayer and meditation upon God’s Word to receive wisdom and strength to walk with God.
(c) Bible Study
The child of God gives priority to bible study. Our Youth Sunday School is open to all youths who have yet to begin this process. The Book of Proverbs is systematically taught with discussion questions for self-reflection.
CONCLUSION
May the youths in our midst be spiritually discerning and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pr. Lek Aik Wee