Don't let anyone look down on you...

I love young people. Children, junior high kids, teenagers...they have so much energy and creativity. They have dreams. They experiment. They ask questions, they seek answers, they challenge the status quo. From a very young age they start asking "why?" Adults can learn so much from them.

At some point, a tragic transition takes place. Those vibrant young people stop asking "why?" and start following the crowd. They conform. They exchange their dreams for an ordinary existence. They become what most of us have demonstrated to them, people going through the motions, following what is "normal", existing in a mundane, average way.

I recall many years ago, as a vounteer youth leader for my church, sitting for hours around the kitchen table with teenagers that were hungry to learn the truth of God's word. They challenged the religious traditions. They asked "why?". Often times, I didn't know the answers and I was honest with them when their questions were over my head. They didn't want to know what the church said about issues, they wanted to know what God said. On many occasions, I would respond with, "I don't know, but let's find out together" and we would dig into the word and seek to find the truth. I could see that these kids were living in the Spirit, seeking to follow God's will in what they did. I loved learning from them.

Unfortunately, there were many adults that didn't view these teenagers the same way. They saw young people who were rowdy, with crazy hair styles and fashions that didn't make sense in their "normal" adult world. Some people thought these kids, who were spending hours around my kitchen table devouring the word of God, were a "disgrace" to the church. They thought the teens should dress differently and look differently. After all, if they are Christians they need to clean up and look the part.

How ridiculous is that?

In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul addresses the younger Timothy on being an example.

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Many believers read this verse through personal bias of what they perceive the outward appearance of a Christian should be. They immediately jump to the conclusion that if a young person (or any person for that matter) is truly following Jesus, they will dress a certain way, worship a certain way, essentially - they will look the part.

Paul is addressing something much deeper here. He's not addressing the outward appearance, he's addressing the inner workings of the individual. He's telling them to "Be an example"...

In speech...

Psalm 19:14 - May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Though their language was different than the older believers, the words were honest, heartfelt and true. These young people were indeed examples of hearts that were truly, desperately seeking God.



In conduct...

Phillipans 1:27 - Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.

These young people were conducting themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. There was rarely a day that went by that they didn't bring a new person over to share the gospel. They wanted others to know Jesus. They were passionate about what they had received. Their conduct may have been "different" than the oder generation's, but that doesn't mean it was wrong, contrary, I believe that God was well pleased as they were striving together for the faith of the gospel.

In love...

John 15:12-14 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.

These young people were an amazing example of love!  I witnessed the length they would go to in order to help their friends. I observed their deep concern for the lost. They prayed shamelessly and ferverently that their friends and family members would truly know Christ. They seized every opportunity to witness to others. They looked for ways they could demonstrate Christ's love.

In faith...

James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

These young people were a true example of faith in action. They were continually seeking the Lord for His direction, they weren't content to just "play the part" of a Christian, they wanted to truly BE Christians!


In purity...

Psalm 119: 9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

Simple concept, yet so difficult for most people to understand. Live according to the word of God. This requires that you study the word of God, read the word of God, know the word of God. I learned more of God's word during that period of my life than at any other time. The young people taught me how to know God. They pursued understanding and were passionate about what God has to say!

Twelve years later, the effects of that group of young people are still at work. That group of radical, crazy hair, strange clothes, loud music, frequently goofy, passionate young people produced a number of pastors, pastors wives, and individuals working in full-time ministry yet today. I count it a privilege to have been part of what God was doing in their lives. They each hold a very special place in my heart. More importantly, I am blessed that each of them taught me how to live by faith. Thank you Lord for using your young people to shape my life!