Today, dear brothers and sisters, we would direct our remarks mainly to the young brothers and sisters in our midst, but they will also apply to the parents and the other older members among us. It seems that many worldly-wise teenagers and young people today think they are in a special class by themselves, and that the world owes them a living, “because,” they say, “we didn’t ask to be born.” But all of this becomes changed when they, and we, as parents and older brothers and sisters, associate ourselves with Jesus Christ and the Truth, accepting its principles as ours. It is then that we must encourage one another, and seek to improve our daily walk.
We who have accepted the Truth and are endeavoring to walk therein are people God sets aside, as He did the Israelites in Old Testament times, to be a special people for His Name. We are a class that must be different in all respects: if young, from our fellow students; if older, from our co-workers and other business and social acquaintances.
Speaking now to the younger people, there comes a time in High School or college when they will either be promoted or held back, depending on their ability and the effort they put forth in their studies. Now, we would like to ask a question of each of you. Do you think that God would promote you in life’s school on the effort you have put forth in the last six months? Think about this for a moment. Are you doing anything to please God? Are you studying to learn more about Him? This is something you must answer. We would urge everyone, both young and old, to take stock today, correct your bearings, and leave this meeting with a firm determination to live more closely to God in the future than you have in times past.
Speaking of schools and students brings to mind a very serious situation in our midst. We have established a Sunday School with brothers and sisters working hard to teach the children and young people the wonderful plan of God and their relationship thereto. They are attempting to sow the seed that will some day bring forth fruit. Helping to organize and teach Sunday School is a rewarding experience, but sometimes is quite discouraging because it is not supported as it should be. Our classes should be overflowing with young and old alike. Parents should, by all means, be there, and should take more time to encourage and help the children and young people with their lessons, and especially with the Bible readings. If a child is failing in school we are certain to either help him ourselves or obtain special tutoring for him. None of us would consider keeping our children home for half of a school year, or keep ourselves from a job fifty percent of the time. Yet when our Sunday School attendance record is studied, we find fifty percent or less attendance. Brothers and sisters, this concerns oar salvation and that of our children and young people as well. We older ones must see to it that those dependent upon us learn about God and His plan concerning us. If we do not do this, we cannot blame the children or young people for poor attendance at Sunday School, can we? It is we who are to blame. We who are parents, and even those who are not, must demonstrate the right way to the young among us, and this can be done only if we, day by day, are setting a good example for them to follow.
There is a good parallel in the book of Joshua from which we can take a lesson. In chapter 24, Joshua gathers all the tribes of Israel together. He calls all the elders, judges, and officers and reminds them of all the blessings they have received from the hand of the Lord from the call of Abraham to the present time. We quote from verses 13 to 15. “And I have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose ye this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell.” “But,” says Joshua, and we hope every one of us will say the same, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” As for me and my house! Let all of us apply this to ourselves, especially those of us who are parents. The father should be the spiritual head of the house at all times, and should NOT, as many do, leave the task of teaching and leading the young folks entirely to the mothers.
Let us point out the 13th and 14th verses of Psalm 34 which will help us in our search for the best way to set a good example to our children and young people. “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
As inheritors of the kingdom of God, we should, at all times, reflect our relationship to Him, and should never be like that of the worldly people around us who know nothing of God or the truth concerning Him. Our actions toward each other, and especially in the home. should be tempered with love and consideration at all times. Those closest to us, although they are the ones we love most, are the ones we often hurt with harsh words, and with negligent, selfish actions. Perhaps these things are done thoughtlessly, especially in the matter of words, but herein lies a challenge. We must put away from us the thoughts that are the forerunners of the damaging words, and so fashion them that when we do speak, our words will reflect love, peace and understanding. By so speaking and by our continued good example we can often bring the family into an understanding of God’s plan.
“Do good: seek peace, and pursue it” seven little words, but what a beautiful message they bring to us! The Concordance sets forth a few of the many meanings of these words. The word “do” means “to accomplish,” “advance,” point,” “become,” “wear,” “bestow,” “bring forth,” and “be busy.” The word “good” means “beautiful,” “best,” -better,” “bountiful,” “cheerful,” “at ease,” “be in favor,” “be glad.” Putting these two together we have meanings like these: “bestow cheerfulness,” “be busy in better things,” “advance the beauty of the Scriptures,” “bring forth gladness” and “become bountiful.” Now let us look at “seek peace.” “Seek” has a meaning such as “ask,” “beg,” “beseech,” “desire,” “inquire,” “make inquisition,” “procure” and “request.” “Peace” in this case means “to be safe in mind, body or estate.” So then, we have a desire to be safe in mind and body. “Do good, seek peace and pursue it.” If we do this earnestly and steadily we will receive the full benefits of the next verse which tells us that “the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.”
We might at this time bring out the point that when a person, old or young, is being taught the Truth, the study should be complete and taken at a slow pace. Thus the candidate not only learns to love and appreciate the beauty of the Truth, but also gains proper understanding of the Gospel, so that when problems arise, they will be dealt with through prayer and what has been written in God’s Holy Scriptures for our admonition.
Speaking once more specifically to the younger brothers and sisters, we will consider the subject of marriage. We urge them not to marry out of the Truth, as it causes undue trouble and worry, and we also urge the parents concerned to withhold their consent from such a union. If two people fail to see eye to eye on everything, especially religion, their marriage will be unhappy, and will not have much chance at survival. We urge them not to marry too young, as their ideas concerning marriage, as well as other things, will change with the years. For both young people and parents, this subject is one which requires much patience and understanding. But if the young brother or sister will wait until the proper person comes into their lives, much happiness and contentment will be realized, for then they can truly say, ‘as for me and my house we will serve the Lord” Older people, also, should marry only in the Lord” as the Scriptures tell us (1st Corinthians 7 39) We believe there is nothing to be compared with an under standing of the Scriptures which hold forth to us the promise of eternal life If a husband and wife, old or young, have this same hope, and there is lose and companionship between them, then they are able to set good examples for their children to follow So, young people, parents, and all of us, let us go from this service determined that OUR house will serve the Lord.
Let us conclude by quoting a few verses from Second Timothy Paul says ‘ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth But shun profane and vain babbling for they will increase unto more ungodliness. Flee also youthful lusts but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart But foolish and un learned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient (2nd Timothy 2 15,16, 22 24) And for our admonition Paul adds. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness That the man of God may be per fed, throughly furnished unto all good works (2nd Timothy 3 16,17).
In closing we would like to leave you with these beautiful words of Paul. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2nd Timothy 4 7).
May we so live that we may confidently say these words as did Paul when our life s work is nearly finished, for we know that the great reward is certain to be ours if we remain faithful to the end
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One