There is a something which cannot be held by the clasp of the hand nor by the scope of man's mind, even a cultured mind. This is called "faith." In fact, the developing of the mind invariably takes man farther from God unless he is maintained in communion with Him.
The vital, moral decisions of the soul are of necessity made alone in the presence of God. If one is out of communion with God, companions and habits throw their influence into these decisions. If in good standing in the social world, youth gradually, and perhaps imperceptibly, hardens the heart against the precepts of Scripture formerly acquired in early, protected, pliable days. It is a very difficult thing to go through the long college or university years without being socially accepted. Besides, discipline being out of hand, moral corruption follows in the stride of spiritual breakdown. Alarming figures indicate a large percentage of youth in such situations.
A young man or woman is not ready for college or marriage unless he or she has been instructed in the basic truths of Scripture, which will not only ground and establish him in Christ, but also will give him the principles needed for life decisions in connection with the will of the Lord. The other alternative is complete breakdown of spirit, often the body, and relationships undertaken as well.
It is not our intention in these lines to minimize the need of preparation for vocation. Parents are told in the Word of God to bring up their child in the way he should go- a solemn consideration on their part to discern the bent of each child besides imparting spiritual instruction. This could include formal education. Parents should assist as much as possible where there is a distinct purpose in view to follow honest trades or to choose a vocation in the fear of the Lord, temperately preparing for life's responsibilities. It takes seeking real wisdom from God on the part of each, and this is found only on our knees.
Because Satan controls formal education in its varied facets, it has become the resting-place of superstition and infidelity. We would seek to encourage virtue and discourage infidelity, to help in a general understanding of life's perplexing questions: "Where did we come from?" "What is our present condition?" and "What will the end be?"
If the heart were properly established in affection for Christ before vital decisions come up, and if the whole being were at rest as to the scope of God's purposes, which are really a manifestation of the Father's deep eternal love for His children, Christian youth would be content to take a less demanding path here and spend their energies upon heavenly things.
In order to acquire resource in the world, youth often plunges into formal education to an excessive degree. Sometimes there is a marked rebound, especially if this is pursued without a proper sense of relationship to God and His Son. Upon completion of the developing and training of the natural powers, the principles of a world without God can be imbedded so deeply in the mind and heart that the outward evidences of real Christianity in the world appear childish and in such opposition to learned principles of action in a business and social world that the gap cannot be closed. Still, God may not be entirely given up because of conscience; but compromise sets in, which forms a halfhearted youth who cannot excel either in business or Christian life.
Then a decision is required, either to retrace and settle for other employment which does not need such training, or to sear the conscience in things pertaining to the present testimony of separation to God, in which His people are instructed to walk. In order to preserve face, the perplexed soul prisoner encamps in some respected religious denomination, traveling through this vast morass of spiritual wilderness into an uncertain destiny like a ship without a rudder and a mariner without a star. This does not mean that there will not be prosperity; on the contrary, the energies being directed toward temporal things, the present may yield such material blessings that the heart will be lulled into believing that God is in it, until the Lord comes as a thief in the night and destroys all.
In the first seven verses of Heb. 11 The Spirit of God has outlined the scope of God's ways and purposes. He begins at creation, or before, until both of the heavenly and earthly saints are found in their eternal home. This comes about only through faith, the basis of all being the Person and work of Christ, His coming down among us as Man to complete all of the counsels of God, His death the foundation of new creation.
Creation "Now Faith Is the Substance of Things Hoped for, the Evidence of Things Not Seen.
"For by it the elders obtained a good report.
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
Death
"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh."
Destiny
"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."