To Be Different As a Christian Youth|G. Landimpou (Jamir)
At the very outset, I would like to give glory and honor to the only one and Almighty God, our Father. And I along with my family would like to greet you all in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To be a Christian means to follow Jesus Christ and to be like Him. Being a Christian I say, one is a true follower of Jesus Christ, and one will never lie to himself/herself. If the person is a Christian, he definitely reacts to the character of Christ in him. But looking at the fact, the world finds no place in it. Everything seems to be a fact. The purpose of writing this topic is to let the Christian youth in our society knows that, being a Christian youth we ought to live a life distinct and unique like that of the followers of Christ in His time. In the Bible, Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ says to imitate him as he imitates Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
If a person wants to make a difference as a Christian youth, one should remember that it is not only about youth going to a church or reading the Bible (it definitely matters), but you can make a difference by living a Christian life every single day. There are many ways you can give back and make a difference as a Christian youth. I would like to give a few points on how we should live a different life as a Christian youth. Before going deeper I would like to say that, I have taken the reader as a true Christian who was lost in sin but got saved by the blood of Jesus Christ who forgives the sins of mankind.
But if there is a youth who did not really know about the saving faith of Christ, I would like to say that you still have a chance today. Come to the Lord Jesus Christ, accept that we are a sinner, and know that you need forgiveness, and this will happen only when you realized and come to repentance. To live a different life as a Christian youth, these are some of the things we need to be sincere with.
1. Be a good example for the youth
As a Christian youth, you should live by example. Everything you do in your life should reflect the goodness of God. Show positivity, smile, and do good works. Don’t talk behind people’s back. Be kind to all people, including those who aren’t popular. The Bible tells us to love one another, to love our neighbor. We should work the work, not just talk the talk. Don’t drink wine, not in the party (not Biblical), not to be a cheater or engage in any negative behaviors.
Be someone who spends a Friday night on their knees in prayer rather than at a party getting wasted. This is so silly and simple in reading but let me tell you that this is really hard to let it work out. Pray to God, seek His wisdom and let us live a life pleasing to God by living a different life as a Christian youth.
2. Reach out to those people who are shunned by others
While Jesus was on this earth He showed love to people who were treated negatively by the world. Never give up on someone so easily and don’t ever do that with God, whether in good times or in bad times. There is a saying “you will encounter Island in school and in other settings”. This means there are people who hang out only with certain people because they don’t know anyone else and it won’t make any efforts. It is something everyone does and it is common in our society. So, you need to step up and be a bridge.
Building a personal relationship is the first step to leading someone to Christ. You already have relationships with the people around you, and you can be the one who encourages them. Offer a prayer for them; share the Bible with those who were outcast by people and the society. Show them and show the world that Jesus lives in a Christian youth today. We need to treat everyone equally, whatever their professions are, or in whatever states they are in. Remember that people are God’s wonderful and unique creation and deserve a chance to be understood.
3. Be able to take rejection
You should be happy to do the good deeds you do. However, it can be more challenging to show a positive attitude when you are rejected or otherwise face negativity in your life. When one confronted with your beliefs, do not freak out. Remember that everyone has a different story on how they became a Christian. Everyone has different problems too. All successful persons did not do well in all things. All people fail even the disciple of Christ does fail, and even Jesus Christ, the King Himself was also rejected by His own people.
When you fall, forgive, and pick yourself back up again. You might have different personal issues and problems in life, but take that rejection and give the problems to God, then He will care for you. What matters to God is how many times you stand up not how many times you try and you did not do. Strive to grow in a positive way. Never say that your last option is giving up on your life because the life you live is not yours. It belongs to God. Whatever problems or rejection you all may have, Christ is bigger and He can do it and He will do it.
But we need to be still, be prayerful, and live a life according to His will. Let me tell you this also, whether you got it all you wanted or not if you know Christ and His love for you than, He is ENOUGH. No, matter what you got or you don’t, Christ is enough. Don’t let rejection trumps you but look to GOD as a Christian youth and be strong for others as well.
4. Pray as often as you can and go to church
God is interested not in your words and deeds. He wants to listen to your hearts. You can simply start off the day by saying, “God, I know not what to do, but I have these desires in my heart to make a difference”. God doesn’t care what you are saying to Him, but He cares about what your heart speaks. He just loves to listen to you. I want to share a little bit of my experience of going to church. As a servant of God today, I got time to preach in the church.
And what I felt in my heart as I prepare my sermons, I say, God, many children of yours will be coming today to the church to worship you. I don’t know how many of them are faithful, and I don’t know how many turn up on a regular basis. But what I always keep in my heart is that there will be at least a person or two or more than that, who comes to the church to pour out their hearts and worship God.
There are some or lots for sure who pray on Friday or Saturday night for the Sunday worship so that they will be truly blessed. And so, how many in this heart today are going to the church with prayer? Are you among the regular churchgoers or the few people who really longs for God's intervention in your life?
People today have taken Christianity so lightly. God is not a joke. But many have mocked Him today. If these few words touch you, please pray to God and seek His face. Turn to Him and care for your life. Give your life to God. He will never cast away anyone who comes to Him today. Living a life pleasing to God will be the happiest youth whether you live a poor life or whether you are outcast or looked down. A successful person is not a person with lots of financial statements. A successful person is one who bends down every day in prayer to God, living a righteous life. May God bless you.
G. Landimpou (Jamir), M.Div, Longmai, Noney. He is the frontman of the gospel band 41 Miles.
NB: The article first appeared in Kala-Khwanbaang 2017. pp.5-6
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