THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 24 Remember God In Your Youth

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). KJV

Loved ones, we are sure that most, if not all of you, understand that Christians are fighting a Spiritual Battle with Satan. Hopefully, our children and grandchildren are familiar with the wise words of Solomon’s in our above text.

As we look about us in our world, we are quite aware that many young people are not giving heed to wise Solomon’s advice. They are enjoying living in the world and enjoying the things of the world. Oh, they may not be doing evil, but they do not have any spiritual values in their lives.

So, what are the benefits of paying attention to “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth?” Let’s consider a few things that make sense.

1. In the first place, a warning is given in the cited verse: “while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” It is possible that in doing the things of the world while young that habits are formed that are hard to break.

The dictionary defines “habit” as “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” Maybe you have known of those who were having a hard time giving up smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. These habits ruin lives and health.

We have known those who really struggled to give up those practices. And so it is with many pleasures in this world.

Some “habits” may not be sinful, but they consume our lives and don’t leave time for spiritual matters (video games, paperback worldly novels, TikTok, etc.). But if we are careful to make it our habit to be involved with spiritual matters when we are young, then our “habits” will take us on the spiritual road that leads to heaven (cf. Matthew 7:13-14).

2. Youth is a great time to have a spiritual influence on others. We make good friends when we are young—neighborhood friends, school friends. Obviously, many of our young friends are not firmly set in their ways, and can be influenced for good.

We have known of high school students who invited some schoolmates to attend a gospel meeting, which led to the friends becoming Christians. We know of a 5th grader who invited a girl in his class to church on a Sunday. She and her mother came, and both became Christians.

3. Youth is a time to let your light shine. The admonition of Christ in Matthew 5:16 is quite familiar. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Obviously, you can’t talk to everyone in your school or neighborhood. But there are many who may observe you of which you are not aware. We know of one situation when a young person was approached by someone he did not know, and was told, “There’s something different about you.”

If someone approached you with those words, don’t you suppose that would lead to discussing some spiritual matters? We need to be aware that others see us, watch what we do, and hear our words. Is our light-switch always in the “on” position?

4. Youth is the “only time” some have to serve God. We have never known a young person who planned to die while a teenager. But sadly, we have known young people who died without any hope of seeing their heavenly Father, except at the Judgment Day, when they will sorrow to hear the words, "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). We can’t think of any words that would be more terrifying that those.

On the other hand, we can think of no better words than the words of welcome that will come from Christ: "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 6:17).

Now, what would you do if you received a notice that you had won a prize of $1,000,000 and you had to register before a certain date, or the money would not be awarded? But the expiration date was not given. So, how long would you delay before registering? We don’t think it would be very long.

But what about “registering” for the greatest prize ever to be given—an eternity in heaven and avoiding the fires of hell? The date of our death or the end of the world is not given. So, we should not put off our “registration.”

"And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14-15).

Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. He is in control, so trust Him. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).