Be careful not to be too critical!

As a ‘dinosaur’, I must not unfairly criticise today’s teenagers. I remember well (perhaps not that well!) that as a teenage rebel I wondered why preceding generations had been involved in two world wars if they were so much better than my friends and I. Also, older generations have made millions by dictating fashions, fads, music and life-styles to peer-conscious teenagers whom they then blames for unruliness.

But - - -

——- it is alarmingly sad to witness amongst today’s teens the rash of violence and murders, the plague of immorality with its potential consequences on future generations, hugely increased drug and alcohol abuse, and the weakening of loving parental concern and control. Why does this all happen?

No foundation

Even when we know right from wrong, we often choose wrong – that is what ‘sin’ really is. It is when I refuse to obey God. That leads to not caring about others and pleasing myself. Thus I break the two most important commands of Jesus: first, love and honour God; second, love, and help your fellow beings. But our nation strays further and further away from the biblical morality which shaped our past conduct and gave us bad consciences when we sinned. Unsurprisingly, today’s young people often have little idea of right or wrong. There is no foundation to build on. That does not excuse sin – but it helps to explain why much behaviour of some (not all) continues to deteriorate. Government legislation, following our moral slide downwards, does not help. Many folks (young and old) feel we have turned our society into an unsafe place to live. What is the solution?

Old fashioned but never out of date

Have you noticed that everything that is really essential is old fashioned but never out of date? That is because it has always been needed! Think of breathing or eating as examples. They both are extremely old fashioned – but never out of date. Similarly the solution to problems caused by ignorance of God and His ways, and by rising sinful rebellion against them, is also very old fashioned, but never out of date.

The solution

First, we must spread God’s changeless truth to today’s youth. The Bible still has the only answer. I often see inmates at Young Offenders Institutes sitting attentively listening to the good news of Christ. We must encourage folks of all ages to ask God to speak to them through reading the Bible. Start with Mark’s Gospel, the shortest gospel.. Second, we need to tell everyone – younger and older – to consider the Lord Jesus Christ seriously and what He has done in dying to forgive, change, lead and help us.

Unique

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only perfect Man who was also fully God. He was completely sinless and righteous. He died on the cross bearing all our sins and the punishment for them, when God the Father smote Him in our place. He rose again and lives today. This unique Saviour will enter the life, save forever, and change completely all who turn from sin and receives Him by faith. Young and old can know pardon, peace and God’s new life only as they trust in Jesus.

Gerard Chrispin