As we are celebrating Youth Month in our country, commemorating the 1976 Soweto uprising, the forefront struggle of the youth then, this devotion will focus on the spiritual struggle among our young people to live pure lives.
The Psalmist (119:9) asks a fundamental question to which he has the answer but let us first briefly focus on the question, “How can a young person live a pure life?” The struggle to live pure lives in this world is very real, especially when the bible tells us what this world is all about, “…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life…” (1 John 2:16) Daily temptations, peer pressure, and identity crisis are very real to many young people as they grow in experience and knowledge in this world.
But the vital question remains, “How can a young person live a pure life?” The Psalmist answers, “…by living according to your word.” God’s Word shows us how we should conduct our lives.
May we read, meditate on it, and be doers of His Word. God’s Word teaches us of an initial entrance into a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, receiving forgiveness, and right standing with God. And then the journey of sanctification (conformity to Jesus) begins, in this process God’s Word (Rom. 12:2) instructs us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is… his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
We are progressively transformed as our minds are renewed by Scripture! D L Moody was correct in saying, “The Scriptures were not given for our information, but for our transformation.”
My prayer is that our young people would value the Word of God above all else yielding to the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work through the Scriptures, in order to live pure lives!
God Bless
Pastor Gino Nel, Bowker Street Baptist Church
