We as youth pastors/workers live in some crazy times. Everything seems to up for grabs. From right things to do to things that at one time were taboo to being perfectly OK instead of a gray area, from being taught about what Scripture says to the Bible being guide book. Follow the people who do righteous things, but don’t worry about what they believe.
Have you ever asked a student either or all three questions: What will it take for God to love you? What kind of things can you do so God will love you? If you read the Bible, why?
Did you listen carefully to their answers? What did you hear? Sometimes you hear they really believe their behavior brings love from God; that if they do certain things correctly or even at a high level of commitment, God offers more love to them; that God loves them because they received Christ as their Savior, but they must continue to do things to stay in His good graces and be loved by Him. There are churched students who actually believe they determine their righteousness. That’s right—there are students who believe that somehow—church attendance, daily devotions, forms of activity—bring righteousness.
Do you believe any of the above? If you do, maybe you are confused, too.
We live in a day when confusion is all around us. Government is a disaster, people in leadership are struggling as much as anyone…Who do you trust? The local church is all over the place—people want this, want that, want music a certain way, denominationalism…What is a student to believe?
Here is what is missing. What brings righteousness to humans? Works? Never. Really? Yes—never. So where does righteousness come from? From placing one’s faith in what Christ did on the cross and rising again three days later. It is by faith that a person is saved. Works? None—faith and faith alone (
When you ask a student why he or she does this or that (Do they talk about faith?)—it’s always about being better by doing this or because in truth he or she may just be living externally, going through the motions; and when life gets tough…look out. I believe living by faith is not just trusting in Jesus for eternal life. That is only the start. From there, we must give our students the foundation on which when life turns, so when difficult things happen, they can trust in God, His Word, His character.
Read the Bible
Abraham believed, and it was credited to him as righteousness. He acted on what he believed (faith), and that is what brought righteousness. How about you? How are you righteous? By your works? By church attendance? By reading your Bible? Never. Those are by bi-products of one’s faith. The acts do not bring righteousness. Never. Now, try to teach it correctly to students. Really? Yes! That is our world of student ministry.
Don’t mix getting good grades with being righteous. Don’t mix remaining a virgin as super righteousness. It’s not. Remaining a virgin is great for one’s future, knowing Christ or not; but abstinene does not bring righteousness. Faith in Christ brings the righteous robe we will wear someday. Don’t confuse a commitment not to smoke with righteousness when it’s simply a choice to stay away from a harmful substance and protecting the temples of our bodies.
If you tell students something because you believe it is right, fine; but why should they make it their belief? If you tell them a rule is for safety, great; at least you are honest. If you tell them because you know firsthand the damage something will do by doing the sick stuff of the world…now you are being transparent, and that is even better; but never tell students that behavior is about righteousness.
This is our world and our job. I believe that now more than ever students who say they follow Christ, have grown up in Christian homes, hang out at church or are part of a youth group must put their faith in Him and Him alone and live life as a testimony of that faith. Living a life of doing the hard things is a bi-product of one’s righteousness.
How do you help your students? Some try lots of guilt trips. Some try lots of shame. Some are so honest that it actually backfires. In truth, you and I know followers of Christ by the fruit they bear. If students are not bearing fruit, what does that say?
Our God is not a God of confusion, but somehow this living by faith is awfully confusing. Hmm…
We all must check our stuff. We all must check or actions. We all must check our conscious choices and decisions. Living by faith is the key. Our faith brings righteousness, and the way we live proves it.
