The world today is becoming increasingly independent from The Bible and its teachings. In a time of failing economies, heightening militant activities and deteriorations of the family structure due to a loss of core values, more and more people have decided to follow the way that Jesus warned us of in the book of Matthew.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction. But small is the gate andnarrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” Matthew 7:13-14
The broad road is becoming ever broadening as a greater number of people decide to traverse it. Many Christians, myself included, have friends and family members that take this road. You may not be able to swallow what I have to say regarding this, but it is the truth. The people you love who follow the “broad road” will be lead to destruction. This “destruction” is an eternity in Hell. Simply put, that is the truth. But hey, don’t take my word for it, read the book and see for yourself. It is not the easiest thing to hear, but we Christians need to hear it. We have an obligation to help those who are walking that road. Right now I want to focus on the epidemic facing my generation, and why it is important everyone strives to the common goal to subdue it.
This epidemic is one that grabs hold of many youth and may never let them go. This epidemic is the early stages of following the broad road. This is not swine flu or some medically diagnosed disease. This is an epidemic of sin, and the consequences one reaps when they sow their life, in particular their youth, full of it. Sexual sin through promiscuity and homosexuality, alcohol and substance abuse, violence, and a general shedding of our Christian faith has come to characterize my generation and those coming up behind it.
Don’t get me wrong here, I am not trying to play the “holier than thou art” card. I will be the first to admit I sin, and quite frequently at that. But when it comes down to it I care deeply about my faith and my savior. I, along with other Christian young adults and teens across the globe, strive daily to walk according to The Bible. However, most young people could care less, as long as their desires are satisfied.
I had many friends, who at one point where Christians, but then turned from their faith. They decided to jump to the complete opposite end of the spectrum. I know people who have switched religions, embraced ritualistic lifestyles of alcohol and drug use, become followers of homosexuality, let others use their bodies for money and even one who became a drug dealer.
The movie Titanic had a powerful scene near the end of it in which the “unsinkable” creation was capsizing and the few left aboard were further dwindled as many jumped to their death and drowned in frigid waters. When I look around at many of my peers, I sometimes feel like I am aboard a capsizing ship. I am with a few who still cling to Christianity, but most surrounding us have either recently jumped (to their impending doom), or left long ago as soon as the going got tough. Comparing a secular box office hit and Christianity may not sit well with some, but I believe it is a powerful analogy for the epidemic we are facing.
I do not want to make our religion sound hopeless. I believe there is much hope in our current state because with great hurt and sin comes great opportunity to minister to those dealing with it. I vividly remember the night that, I believe, for the first time I was able to make some real tangible change in this world. I was trying to make a friend of mine feel better about some situations in her life. I spent hours on the phone with her that night trying to reach out to her and convince her she was loved but not only those her around, but God as well. She went back and forth juggling between what I was telling her, and what the world had told her. At one point, I had become so frustrated that I was very close to just throwing in the towel and hanging up the phone. It was around that time at about 2:30 in the morning that my friend told me she was going to kill herself. At first I thought she was just talking and had no intention, or means, to take her own life right there in her bedroom. I heard her leave the room. She came back, with a gun. Honestly, I would never had known she had a gun until I heard the hammer cock back and I could discern the steady pulsating tap of a barrel against her temple. The tap was that revolver shaking in her hand. Thankfully, I, along with the grace and wisdom of God, was able to talk her out of killing herself with me on the other line. Nonetheless, life got real for me that night.
This situation is pretty common throughout the world. Teenagers take their life because of the pain they feel, the situations they face, the influences of so many around them that tell them to live up to a certain standard, and the loving God they don’t embrace. Whether people never knew Christ, or never took heed to what they did know of him, it boils down to one simple fact. We need Christ and his love in our lives. It changes us for the better. It is because of this great need that Christians must stand up, see the world for what it really is, and get real. I challenge you to begin to get real today by following these three steps.
1.) See the world for what it really is. Do not be fooled by what Satan may try and tell you. This world we live in is becoming more and more hostile to Christians and our beliefs. Every day Christians face persecution, and we should be prepared to encounter it in various forms and deal with it accordingly.
2.) Reach out to our youth. Many youth in our society are being molded into something that does not resemble what Christ has called us to be. This is dangerous. Where does the future lie if not in the hands of those going to inherit it? Christians need to do all that they can in order to show the love of Christ to youth and help mold them into the young men and women of God that Christ has called them to be.
3.) Never stop loving. Show the love of Christ and how it can change other people’s life just as it has yours. Love is something important and we should always strive to love. Without the love that Christ displayed while hanging on the cross, there would be no hope for a better future.
“Be the change you want to see in this world”
Mahatma Gandhi
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Christ’s love does not just change us for the better. It redeems us. It is not something we accept because it brings blessings and peace. It is something that we cling to when we realize what we are without Him. Your piece is beautifully written and I hope that you are able to reach the lost.