A Generation Living for God

Bible Text: 1 Peter 2:9, 

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (AMP).

This Scripture tells us a lot about ourselves – the way the Almighty God regards us. You may see yourself as a regular and ordinary teenager but to God, you mean much more. In a nutshell, the Bible text above says we are;

1.      special to God

2.      chosen, royalty and holy

3.      God’s possession and purpose – to manifest His excellency

A generation refers to people of a certain age group, age band or age bracket. As teenagers, you belong to the age bracket of 13-19 years – that’s a generation. And even as the world recognizes that, God knows you, recognizes you and has plans for you.

In order to accomplish the purpose of our being, we need the complementary attitudes that govern that aspiration. Teenagers know about attitude. While many of them are well-behaved and have a good attitude, same cannot be said for others. It is said that ‘your attitude will determine your altitude’. This is so true because a bad attitude gets one nowhere – like a flat tyre. So, there are certain vital attitudes that will help you meet your obligation as a member of the ‘chosen generation’.

They include;

1. Be Proactive:

What does it mean to be ‘Proactive’? It means to act before an impending or likely incident/situation happens. There is the phrase, ‘Many let life happen to them’. This is when we let situations and circumstances overwhelm us without precaution (James 4:17). There are lots of proactive messages in the Bible. 

Let’s take Matthew 7:7-12, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find it; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone who asked, received; the one who sought, found; and the one who knocked, the door was opened”.

What is the pro-action here?

a) If you have questions or need to make enquiries, then ask them. This will provide you the opportunity to obtain the answers you need to make crucial decisions before the consequences befall you. For instance, in order to accomplish your life purpose, you have to ‘ask’ from God. Why? Because He created you and He knows why He created you. When you receive the answer from Him, you are in a better position to achieve your purpose and not spend your life in a limbo or fruitlessly.

b) ‘Seeking’ calls for a deeper search for someone or something. When you are proactive, you go searching early and diligently in order to achieve the desired outcome. The Bible advices us to do this, as much as necessary, so as not to wallow in ignorance.

c) Knocking on a door signifies a desire to enter a place. Knocking makes a loud sound, calling on the hearer to take action – open the door so I can enter. For instance, you are fleeing from danger and heading toward your neighbour’s house. On getting there, you need them to respond to your desperation, so you will bang on the door with all your strength such that they will open the door.

Prayer is the most proactive thing we can do! Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them”. Make it a duty to communicate with God by prayer.

2. Be Positive

To be positive is to have an attitude that exudes optimism and affirmation. It calls for one to be confident and bold. Teenagers seek to be bold but seem to appear pompous. They want to exude confidence but it looks like arrogance. So, as a teenager, you need to balance your body language so your motive is not misunderstood. For instance, the congregation of the early church wanted to be bold so as to have the courage to spread the gospel. 

Acts 4:29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word”.

What positive action?

a)    Remain confident: Hebrews 13:6, “So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”. So, we place our confidence in our God. He is the One to help us because we don’t have the ability, authority and capacity, like He has, to help ourselves.

b)  Fear God, not man: Matthew10:28, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell”.

c)  Make God your Helper: Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

d)  Positive Self-Talk: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengtheneth me!”

3.   Be Humble

To be humble is to have or show a modest or low estimate of one's importance whether in position or value. This might be a lot to handle for teenagers who like to be noticed and acknowledged. But humility calls for meekness, not timidity, and prevents us from being over confident. The humble teenager will reach out to a lot more people, build good relationships and make tremendous impact in their generation.

What humble actions?

a) Have a child-like mind: The mind of a child is innocent and unassuming. It is also open and receptive. Luke 9:48, “Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”

b) Lean on God’s grace: Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. The humble teenager acknowledges that their life propeller is the grace of God. And there are levels of grace but whichever one is needed, God will unfailingly provide.

c) Be sacrificial: Hebrew 11:25, “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season”. Human beings like the good life and teenagers are no exemption but there comes a time when we have to make the sacrifice to endure hardship, especially when sin is dangled before the offer of pleasure. In order not to backslide, the believer must possess divine strength to face persecution and hostility for the sake of the gospel.

CONCLUSION:

Are you a Christian teenager? Are you willing to join the effort of others to distinguish your generation for Christ? If your answer is ‘yes’, please be assured that millions of other believers will be praying for and with you. If you have not given your life to Christ, today provides you an opportunity to establish and build a relationship with your Heavenly Father and Maker and to join the community of the chosen generation. What do you have to do?

a. Hear the word of God: Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. This message provides you with the information and knowledge you need to take the decision to join God’s chosen generation.

b. Believe with all your heart: Hebrews 11:6, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him”. You cannot follow someone you do not trust. We call on you to trust God with everything you’ve got. He will never disappoint you.

c. Repent of your sins: Acts 17:30-31, “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead”. You have hurt God all these while in your thoughts, words and action. There is no justification because that is not the way God asked us to live. Nevertheless, He is ready to forgive us when we apologize and depart from our offensive way of life.

d. Confess Jesus as the Son of God: Matthew 16:15-16, “Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is to proclaim Him His existence and His majesty. It may be difficult at first but don’t be ashamed. The Lord will see you through.

e. Be baptized for the remission of your sins: Mark 16:15-16, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned”. Baptism heralds your public confession and identification with the Lord. Join a Bible-believing church in your community today and let them disciple you into the family of the chosen generation.