Our Youth – The Disciple-Making Lifestyle

Through the eyes of history we see king David’s youth in terms of having remarkable faith. His courage as a shepherd boy and as the teenage defender of Israel when slaying Goliath are legendary. However, what we fail to take into account is the searching nature of God’s spiritual conviction (see John 16:8).

In David’s tender young heart, there were clearly unseen battles between right and wrong. When thinking back about those early personal struggles he prayed, “Remember not the sins of my youth…” (Psalm 25:7) Ironically, there were no early sins ever described about David in the Bible. We are told of no profanity, pride, lust, or lack of integrity in his formative years. In fact, he appears to have been a model son to his father Jesse.

For us – the point to remember is that God looks at one’s heart. This is where most of our battles are actually fought. David knew his own personal conflicts, fears, and attitudes better than anyone else. This is why he later prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me.” (Psalm 139:23-24) David truly wanted a pure heart.

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The Bible explains that, “all have sinned…” (Romans 3:23) and all means without exception. Because David recognized that he was a sinner during his youth, we have a perfect example to reflect on about ourselves. It was many years later that David considered his adult life and wrote, “for the sake of Your name O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.” (Psalm 25:11) During every portion of David’s life he faced normal temptations and remembered each time that he gave in to them. We are exactly the same, so confession is our best friend. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

We must be realistic because – God looks on our hearts and studies our inward thoughts and motives. He cares about much more than our public behavior and we literally have no secrets. The Bible says, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer.” (Hebrews 4:13)

Our smallest sins appear large in the eyes of God when compared with His Son’s righteousness! The issue is not how we live compared with the behavior of others. Our heavenly Father only compares us with Christ’s sinlessness! We all fall utterly short of that holy standard (see Romans 3:23). This is a spiritual reality that cannot be escaped – every sinner needs God’s forgiveness!

The Bible says, “All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all to fall on Him.” (Isaiah 53:6)

As you pray for the opportunity to share your faith, remember the urgency of your mission. Not one person you will ever meet will not need the Savior, and it is the will of God that, “…none should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9) This is why we live on mission!