A Letter to Our Youth

Someone once said, “It is one thing to start a project, but another to keep it going.” You, too, will find this to be true in your own experience, as it has been in mine. It reminds me of Luke 14, verses 28 to 30. Perhaps you remember the story. There Christ told the parable of the man building a tower, who counts the cost to see if he could finish it. This, of course, refers to the preceding verses where He points out what it costs to be one of His followers. Do you remember the conclusion? He that does not forsake all cannot be His disciple. He wants all, not part of your heart.

I remember reading of a young man who was born and grew up in a country village. During his early years he was taught by a God-fearing minister. Later he left to enter a large university for a higher education. Returning after a lapse of several years, he was met at the station and welcomed by many of his former friends and neighbors. Among them was his old minister.

The young man, quite proud of his college degree, asked if anyone had questions. If so, he would try to answer them. After several questions were asked and answered, the old minister asked him if he could answer the question which Christ asked in Mark 8:36, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”

This was a question all his college learning could not answer, and he asked for more time. It was a question he could not get out of his mind, but the Lord used it to convict him and bring him to conversion. From that day on all his education was devoted to God, and the Lord used him in a wonderful way to build His church.

This was an unusual example, but the Lord uses many ways to awaken sinners to a knowledge of their lost condition. His most common way is through the preaching of the gospel. The Lord has promised that where two or three are gathered in His Name, He will come into their midst and bless them. I can testify that the Lord is true to His Word.

“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes.”

To many young people, and perhaps you, my reader, the life of a Christian seems sad and unpleasant. He cannot go along with the great majority and has no desire for their amusements. But, believe me, there is more joy in the heart of a Christian when he can confess his sins before God than in all the pleasures of the world. You, young people, sometimes criticize your parents, ministers, and elders when they try to point out the right way. But what is more important than your soul?

There are many lawful studies and hobbies for young people. We do not oppose them. But we are called to warn you against wasting your precious time in sinful amusements which can only end in destroying your soul. To youth, time goes on forever, but the Bible says, “We spend our years as a tale that is told.” How much better then to pay attention to what follows, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” My dear young people, stop a moment to consider. Count the cost if your soul should be lost. Consider what you will face if you turn your back upon that which you have been taught from God’s Word, and you say,

I cannot give it up,
The little world I know,
The innocent delights of youth,
The things I cherish so.

Remember that God’s Word says, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes.” Is Solomon advising you to seek the pleasures and amusements of this world? Read the rest and see, “But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

Your well-wishing friend, (written in 1963 by a former elder)

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