Young men

Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, - Titus 2:6-7

Every group in the church has responsibilities. We have seen the older men, the older women, and the younger women. Now we come to the responsibilities of the young men. The young men are important. These are the future pastors and leaders of the Christian homes. If they don't get it right the future in pretty uncertain.

Young men are often the ones who get the most blame and the least respect. People are quick to despise their views and opinions because, after all, 'what do they know?'

Believe it or not I remember what it was like to be a younger man in the church. I was saved in 1974 in the midst of all the craziness of those days. I was going to and living at a college that was setting trends for all the changes of those days. Being a Christian and standing for Christ in those days was a challenge. The kinds of character Paul writes about here were in great contrast to the world I lived in.

Forty years on the way of life in that college have become the way of life in the world in general. By the time you get a few years under your belt and get a little experience in making poor choices and making mistakes it does become a bit easier to do these things. When you are still young and 'everyone else is doing it' it can be tough to 'be a good pattern, show integrity, be reverent, and not be corruptible.' 

Let’s pray for our younger men – it is hard to stand out from the world and it is harder when you are young. Let’s be sure we encourage them and not despise their youth.