"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be?" (2 Peter 3:11.)
Dear Young Christian: If you really believe that the Lord Jesus is coming back again soon, how practical for your daily walk is the above question! Let us consider four scriptural admonitions which answer the question.
First, we ought to be SEPARATE Christians. (2 Cor. 6:17.) What would you think of an English soldier who liked the companionship of the Germans so well that he enjoyed fighting in their ranks part of the time, although he knew he was a part of the English army, and proud of it, too? You can easily see how impossible such a condition would be in human affairs. How much more impossible then ought it to be for the Christian to be found joining the world's ranks in its pleasures and companionship. We ought then, young Christians, to be separate in our walk.
Second, we ought to be SOBER Christians. (1 Thess. 5:6.) No railroad company will employ an engineer who uses intoxicating liquor, because he has in his trust the lives of hundreds of human beings who might be sacrificed by his lack of sobriety. So with us, God has entrusted to us, in great measure, the eternal welfare of those with whom we are thrown in association. How important then that our conduct should be such that those about us will have confidence in what we say as to eternal things. But if our attitude is light and trifling most of the time then, when we want to seriously impress others with the solemn reality of having to do with the Lord, they will doubt our words, We will be like Lot in Sodom when he warned his sons-in-law, "Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law." (Gen. 19:14.) How important, then, that we be sober.
Third, we ought to be SIMPLE Christians. (2 Cor. 11:3.) God never requires superior intelligence or special gift in order that His children may walk in living daily communion with Himself. In fact, there is nothing more pleasing to the Father than to have His simple-hearted child lift his voice in guileless confidence and talk to his "Father". We may know very little, and yet be happy in our confidence in the Lord; or we may get much truth, and become cold and legal in our souls. O, let us seek then to cultivate a childlike simplicity before the Lord.
Fourth, we ought to be STRONG Christians. (Eph. 6:10.) What need there is in this day of lukewarm indifference to the work of the Lord Jesus, for strong-hearted young Christians to boldly and fearlessly stand for Christ. Stand for Him everywhere and all the time: in school, in shop, in recreation, in the home and on the street. What cowardly soldiers we often make, don't we? There is nothing that helps a Christian so much in boldness for the Lord Jesus as to show where he stands at the first opportunity. Never compromise the truth the first time you meet another, thinking to let your stand be known later. No! fly your colors all the time, come what may, and you will find, by God's grace, new power and courage given you for each new occasion as it arises.
In these closing days may He find standing for Him a company of separated, sober-minded, simple-hearted, strong young Christians!