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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
"Is the Young Man Safe?"
It was a sight to horrify any human being. A bus was smashed on the side of an Interstate highway, and the dead and injured were scattered everywhere.
That scene brought home the fact that regardless of the innocence of the subjects, danger and death may be lurking just around the next bend in the road. Five were dead and some twenty others injured. No one knows just what happened. That tragedy was almost a year ago, but I can still visualize that scene in my mind, and I can’t help thinking of that busload of youths who, though they survived the crash, will never be the same.
Our community has seen our share of teen deaths in the last few years. Such dangers surround even Christian youth. It is good for our young people to be with other Christians. It gives them the opportunity to be a good example and to live the life about which their teachers have instructed them.
But vigilance will always be a necessity when young people gather. Safety from predators, both human and inhuman, from accidents and from other physical harm, is an imperative. Those who supervise these essential activities must exercise great care. The recent kidnappings so prominent in the news have brought this to mind even more powerfully.
Another, even more important need for vigilance, is the spiritual safety of our youth. Those who teach our youth must be the very best teachers, and they must be well grounded in the truth of God’s Word. As dangerous as a traffic accident can be, it is eternally dangerous for teachers to fail to be faithful to the Word they profess to teach. It is imperative that what they teach is true, for only truth will give them the strength they need. How can we guard our youth, our children in this area?
Homes that exalt Christ
Surveys from secular and religious sources reveal that when the home is what it ought to be, children are already a step ahead. Of course they need to see and hear their parents pray, read their Bible, talk about spiritual matters. They need to know Christ is first in the lives of their parents, and learn the joy of being a Christian. Nothing you can buy, hire or give can take the place of your example, 2 Samuel 12:14.
Enthusiastic Bible teachers
Again, teachers who are faithful in their own lives are a must. But just as important are teachers who take their task seriously, preparing their lessons, knowing their Bible, encouraging each student to be a strong, faithful Christian, and giving them personal attention. No two students are alike, and they need to love and respect their teacher. This is not an optional item, James 3:1.
Challenging preaching
It may surprise us to find out how early children begin to learn from a sermon. No, they will not be able to grasp what an adult can, but they hear words and stories that become familiar. They recognize the preacher and learn to have respect for God’s Word. As years go by, they increase in their understanding of those lessons, and if challenged to follow in Jesus’ steps, they have a solid foundation upon which to build their lives, 1 Peter 2:20-22.
Examples of service
We have always known that “actions speak louder than words.” The good conduct of young people who are a bit older can provide positive examples for them to follow. When they see them living godly lives of service and kindness, they are even more likely to follow their good examples. If the general attitude of their home congregation is positive, and if they see elders and deacons serving others, they will learn to serve also. Read what Jesus said in Matthew 20:24-28.
Association with Christians
We have known for years that, besides parents, the most powerful influence on youth will be their peers. Godly parents will find ways to provide association with others of “like precious faith.” This can provide them encouragement and confidence, knowing that others are facing and conquering the same obstacles. The church can provide assistance in this area, but parents must not expect others to take care of their children’s needs.
The words of our title, found in 2 Samuel 18:29, linger in our minds. We must answer: “Is the young man safe?”
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“Nothing is so contagious as an example.”
“Evil companions corrupt good morals,”
“I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one would walk with me than merely point the way.”
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Why Repent Publicly?
From time to time over the past couple of decades I have been asked the above question in one form or another by those whose lives have been deviant from the will of God and who desired some sort of restoration to faithfulness. Usually it comes from one who has perpetually forsaken the assembly – sometimes for many years. They desire to be considered as faithful but have an aversion to confessing their sin publicly and asking for forgiveness. While I believe the question, as given above, is the wrong question to be asking, let us consider it and endeavor to demonstrate the impropriety thereof.
Who needs to repent publicly? Does, for example, someone who “thought bad thoughts” about another person need to repent publicly? No! There is no need or necessity for a public repentance when the sin for which one is repenting is a private one – that is, known only to the sinner and God. Does one who sinned against another in a private setting, the sin being known only to the sinner, the one sinned against, and God, need to repent publicly? No! Again, there is no necessity for a public repentance (the sinner needs to confess and repent to God and the one he/she has sinned against). The one who needs to repent publicly is the one whose sin is known to the public – that is, one whose infidelity to the Lord and His Will is a matter of common knowledge.
Why do they need to repent publicly? The answer to this question is (to quote a famous detective, in part) elementary…If others know of my sin I am obliged to indicate my error and solicit their forgiveness. If I have forsaken the assembly, I have set a bad example, exerted a bad influence, and (by implication) advocated a lifestyle the end of which is eternal damnation. My sin is an offence to God, but it is also an offence to all who have set themselves to living properly. I must remove the bad example, the bad influence, and so indicate to all that I abandon the former life and adopt the Christian life.
The Right Question: Why should I not repent publicly when my sin is public knowledge? I can give no positive answer to this query. If one sins and sins publicly, he/she should willingly make public confession and publicly indicate repentance. In fact, one refusing to do so leaves serious doubts as to his/her genuineness in repenting.
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