And Jesus Grew...
Truth is truth, whether labeled science or religion. All truth is consistent. There is no conflict—only in the interpretation of fact. It is well to remember that when men make new discoveries in their energetic search for truth, these will always be in harmony with all fundamental and eternal truths. Yes, truth is always consistent, whether it is revealed directly from God to man, through his inspired prophets, or comes from the laboratory through diligent searching of his children and through the influence of the Spirit of the Lord upon them.
This same thought was expressed in another way by the writer of the Proverbs: You are in a changing world beset with many perplexities.
Luke NIV - And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, - Bible Gateway
But while change is all about us, and will continue to be, in the physical world, we must recognize that there are certain heaven-sent verities, principles, and values that are eternal. You will be required to pass your judgment on them. Remember that ideas and theories are either sound or unsound; their soundness does not depend upon which men hold them.
There will always be those little minds who, out of vanity or intellectual display, will attempt to destroy faith in the very foundations of life. Be assured, however, that no man, worthy of the name, who has been humbled and awed before the unexplainable wonders of this marvelous universe, will ever scoff at sacred things or try to rob you of your faith in the unseen.
Our inability to explain a thing in terms of our materialism does not disprove its reality.
By yielding obedience to your faith in God and the laws of the universe, both spiritual and physical, there will come a soul-satisfying security that is priceless. You will need this anchor as you face a doubting world. To you we say: Meet the challenge of a modern world! In doing so, beware of the philosophy which suggests that morality is out of date—that virtue, chastity, marriage, and honorable family life are throwbacks to a Victorian age.
These are eternal principles—as eternal as life itself. Remember, it is truth that endures. It is truth that makes men courageous enough to become Christlike. It is the truth that makes men and nations free.
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Intelligence is wise and judicious use of knowledge. Continue to grow mentally—to grow in wisdom—to grow in truth. Do all this and you will find truth; it cannot be denied you.
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Like the Master, in whose footsteps you follow, may you constantly increase in wisdom. It may seem trite to say that you are the trustees of posterity, but it is true. The future of our country will, sooner than you think, rest in your hands and those of your contemporaries. Continue to grow in stature. Be cheerful in all that you do. Live enthusiastically, knowing that God does not dwell in gloom and melancholy, but in light and love.
Jesus Christ
Your physical well-being is not only a priceless blessing to yourself, but a heritage that you may pass on to your descendants. With good health, all other activities of life are greatly enhanced. A clean mind in a healthy body will enable you to render far more effective service to others. It will help you provide more vigorous leadership.
“And Jesus Increased in Wisdom and Stature, and in Favour with God and Man”
It will give your every experience in life more zest and meaning. Good health is a noble and worthwhile attainment. The Word of Wisdom leads to clean habits, thoughts, and actions. Possibly the best measure of the stature of a man or woman is in their own home, at their own fireside. As you look hopefully forward, what conclusions have you reached about marriage, the home, and family? The foundation of a happy home must be laid during premarital days. You young people should keep your associations on an uplifting, spiritual level.
Moral purity is an eternal principle. Its violation destroys the noblest qualities and aspirations of man. Purity is life-giving; unchastity is deadly. You should realize that there is a grave danger in building your premarital associations on a physical basis of necking, petting, and fornication. The harmful effects of such unlawful associations are carried over into married life, bringing disappointment, heartache, and the weakening of the structure of the home.
Unchastity is the most damning of all evils, while moral purity is one of the greatest bulwarks of successful homemaking. Happy and successful homes—let alone individual lives—cannot be built on immorality. As a member of a large family of children and a grateful father of six, may I say to you, keep the fountains of life pure.
Guard your virtue as you would guard your lives. Reserve for the marriage relationship the sweet and soul-satisfying intimacies of life, as the God of heaven, who instituted the marriage covenant, so intended. He has commanded purity of life and a single standard for men and women. If you fail as young people to properly restrain yourselves, you will pay the penalty in heartache, disappointment, and loss of self-respect. Do not reach out too eagerly for physical intimacies that are only lawful under the marriage covenant.
These will come in their own due time in the sacred bonds of marriage. Remember, they cannot be broken with impunity. If you would be happy and successful in your earthly association, courtship, and home building, conform your lives to the eternal laws of heaven. There is no other way. Remember that no great nation has ever fallen without first becoming morally corrupt. The sins of immorality have always left scarred and misshapen creatures whose misfortune decries one of the most loathsome of human depravities.
These facts point out the significant impact that growing in favor with man has upon our ultimate success. The formula for successful relationships with others boils down to that divine code known as the Golden Rule. It was the Master who said: Unselfish, willing service to others was the keynote of his relationship with men. To serve others willingly and unselfishly should be one of our greatest virtues. It is not even a matter of choice. It is an obligation, a sacred command. Do we find it hard to live with the human faults of our fellowmen?
Did not he live in all-surpassing kindness with 12 rough followers, and one of them a thief and then a traitor? Do we find it a burden to give of our time to others? Did he not heal all those who were brought to him, even though many a day and a night it seemed the whole city was gathered around him? Are we sometimes asked to do for others what may seem to be beneath us, or what is tiresome and monotonous? Was not the Son of God born in a stable? The example has been given you. It was the Master himself who prayed for all those who believe in him in these words: But his obedience on the cross, while no more perfect, was far, far greater than the kind of obedience which was appropriate to his life as a boy.
Once married they will find new reasons for love. In other words, there is an experimental aspect to growing in grace. In other words the Spirit strengthened Jesus in all that he faced, in his temptations, in his troubles, and in his sufferings. And the same is true for us. Jesus sent his Spirit so that we might draw on his strength for our growth. The Holy Spirit is the power source for our growth in grace. Our faith can only receive what grace provides and can only believe what Scripture reveals. But faith should receive everything grace provides and Scripture reveals.
There is much to take comfort in when we know that as underserving as we are, the same Spirit who filled Christ, is also at work in us who believe. He has seen fit to fill our faculties with grace, to use our everyday experiences to give us fresh glimpses and depths of his favor, and who uses this favor and love to sustain, encourage, and equip us for every good work. You are commenting using your WordPress.
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