"I Write Unto You, Young Men."

by R. DARKE, Vancouver | Category: General | Jun 1963

The Scriptures are replete with incidents of God's dealings with young men, and His desire to achieve some of His great purposes through them. It is no mean thing to be linked through faithfulness with such as Samuel and David, Joshua and Timothy, young men, who, in times of great need, were ready to stand for God. The aged apostle John seems to be writing to young men of such calibre when penning the words which form the title of our article.

I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2. 18).

I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you ... " (verse 14).

Deeply concerned about the perilous times through which the churches of God were passing, John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved", was seeking to warn the saints of the dangerous attractions that were without, in the world, and the great dangers that were "within", due to the false prophets that would lead them astray (1 John 2.26). Having lived more than 90 years in a world that "lieth in the evil one" (1 John 5.19), John views the world in the light of accumulated experience, and he pleads,

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world ... For all that is in the world ... is not of the Father ... " (1 John 2.15, 16).

But, says John, "love one another" (1 John 3. 11).

With the dark clouds of apostasy gathering fast, God's aged servant says, "It is the last hour" (1 John 2.18). Many antichrists had arisen in the Fellowship under false guise, and then "they went out from us, but they were not of us" (1 John 2.19). Erroneous doctrine concerning the eternal Sonship of the Lord Jesus was rampant, and the devil was busy sowing discord and hatred among the brethren. "But... ye know it (the Truth)", states John, to those who are standing fast (1 John 2.21), and again he pleads, "Abide in Him; that, if He shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (verse 28). The last hour ... His coming ... are two things that should help to strengthen the resolves of God's people in all times of danger and departure.

As in the days of John, the aged, so today in the Fellowship of God's Son there is a great and dire need for young men who are overcomers, and in whom the word of God abides. Unlike the majority of their spiritual forebears, young men today have the benefit and privilege of an excellent education, which is not only able to equip them for daily employment, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity for sanctified ability and gift in the service of God. An esteemed brother said recently in a letter, "When I first came into the Fellowship there were only two brethren who had been to University ... Now most families like their children to get a University education." Yet, it must be realized, that one by one God is calling home faithful men who have bought the truth, which they have loved, expounded, and taught. Some of these men enjoyed only a meagre education, yet they taught themselves Greek and Hebrew, and so became scholars in divine things, and have taught us never to be forgotten truths from the word of God. And now the breaches are appearing in the ranks of those who have pioneered the truth of God in this century. Where are the young men to take their places that the Testimony might be preserved and extended?

When Moses died the LORD said to the young man Joshua, "Arise, go over this Jordan ... there shall not any man be able to stand before thee ... I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1.2-6). Here was a young man ready to stand in the breach. What were his qualifications? "Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him" (Deuteronomy 34.9).

Shortly before his martyrdom, the apostle Paul wrote to the young man Timothy: "Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus... Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things ... Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2.1, 7, 15, A.V.). What were Timothy's qualifications? "Neglect not the gift that is in thee ... 0 man of God ... That good thing which was committed unto thee guard through the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us ... " (1 Timothy 4.14; 6.11 ; 2 Timothy 1.14). With confidence Paul could commit to Timothy the responsibility of passing on to faithful men the doctrine of the Lord.

"Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity (love), patience", he wrote to this faithful young man, whom he called his "beloved child" (2 Timothy 3.10, A.V.). In a striking tribute to Timothy, Paul wrote to the Philippians, "I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state" (Philippians 2.20).

Where are the Joshuas and the Timothys in the Fellowship today? How greatly they are needed! Young men, who are prepared to give themselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8.5); to the study of His word (2 Timothy 2.15); to prayer (Acts 6. 4); to the filling and leading of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5.18; Romans 8.14)? These are essential qualifications for young men to be worthy successors to those who have held aloft the shining torch of testimony to God's truth in remnant days of darkness and apostasy. One hears with joy of some of our young men learning Greek as one of their university subjects. May God bless them in such studies, and may their accrued knowledge of this important language be used to the edification of God's people! One also hears the excuse, "I have no gift". An answer to this is found in Ephesians 4.7. "But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ." In our secular employment it is sometimes demanded that we write lucid reports of business development and progress. These we accomplish. Can not the same pen be sanctified in the writing of much needed articles for the Lord? What happened to the pen of Levi (Matthew) which recorded his transactions as a tax gatherer? Was it not used to write the beautiful Gospel? What of our silent tongue? If management demand we give verbal outlines of projects and plans, we prepare ourselves to speak. Why not so in the things of God?

Young men in the Fellowship, let us face the facts ! In this generation there must fall upon your shoulders the heavy responsibility of filling worthily the ranks of faithful men whom God is calling to Himself. Are you preparing yourselves for this great requirement? Or are you content to let things drift? It is "the last hour" ! Can it be said of you, as it was said of the young men in the dark days when the aged apostle John wrote, "ye have overcome the evil one... ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you"? Will you take up the challenge? Will you answer the call? Or will you be ashamed before Him at His coming?

R. DARKE, Vancouver | Jun 1963
General