I received a phone call while in the office the other day from a very polite young Christian lady. The jest of the conversation was that her work would soon place her in a position where it would be more convenient for her to attend the services of the church somewhere in our area than in the area of the congregation she had previously been attending. But before she came she wanted to inquire information about the local congregation including where we stood on some doctrinal matters. As I talked with her the thought briefly crossed my mind that were this young lady to call some churches her questions would be viewed as “socially unacceptable,” “demeaning,” or “intrusive.” Some would be offended that anyone would be so “suspicious” as to not trust any church at face value. How dare she “question our devotion to God!”
My reaction, though, was quite different. Rather than being offended or angered, I was elated! Here is a young lady who is concerned enough about her soul that she is willing to take that bold step upon which some might have frowned. This young lady knew the reality that exists in the religious world. Even among congregations of the Lord’s people not all can be trusted to believe and practice the Divine oracles (1 Peter 4:11). Also she recognized the immense danger that could potentially exist were she to allow such people into her circle of trust. She was determined to maintain her Christian purity and faithfulness by being among fellow Christians who are earnestly seeking to do the same.
Often younger generations are looked down upon as people in whom little hope exists. Some simply have no faith that young people have any true interest in sound doctrine but are concerned only with fun, frolic, and frivolity. And granted, there is a widespread influence among young people that has led many in that direction. However, it is conversations such as this that renew and solidify my belief that future generations will keep the faith and maintain the purity of Jesus’ bride. Paul told young Timothy to “let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Often the capacity of young people is underestimated. But thank God that in every generation young Timothy’s have arisen who have proven their steadfastness in all matters of life. It gives us hope that once the proven soldiers of the cross have gone “the way of all the earth” (Joshua 23:14) that the church will not be left to the wolves, but will be entrusted to determined servants who will love, defend, and hold fast to God’s standards of life and liberty in Christ.
Jeremiah was told on one occasion to “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). It does my heart good to see, hear of, and know that even when things look so bleak they are not hopeless. Souls, young and old, are still asking for the old paths. Let’s point them in the right direction.
-Andy Brewer
