Troy Kearns
by Troy Kearns
When Adam and Eve took of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they set mankind on a path, away from obedience to God. In the Garden of Eden, our first ancestors essentially told God to stay out of their lives and that they would determine what is right or wrong. As we look around us today, it’s very obvious that society as a whole has not found the way back to God. From that time back in the Garden, God has, for the most part, taken a hands-off approach in the affairs of mankind, only intervening in certain key moments to bring about His plan and purpose.
But despite the majority of humanity never truly knowing God and His way of life, He has been merciful, because His plan is to call some in this age to understand His truth (John 6:44). This might include one or both of your parents. At this point you might be thinking, “That’s great for my parents, but I wasn’t called into the church, I was born into it.” But, did you know that whether it is one or both of your parents in the church, according to God, you are now in a special category? God actually considers you to be sanctified. “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy” (1 Corinthians 7:14).
What this means, is that if a child has at least one parent who is a member in the church, that child is not cut off from God, like other children are and like the majority of mankind is. They are in a special category; they are sanctified, set-apart, and they can have access to God and to Christ. This applies directly to you who are reading this. Every Sabbath you attend services and are exposed to God’s word through the ministry. You are surrounded by converted brethren who understand God’s ways. Every day you can see your parents who are striving to live by every word of God and be an example to you. And because of these things, you can make a direct comparison between God’s way and the way of the world and hopefully come to the realisation that the world has nothing of substance or enduring happiness to offer. The pleasure of sin is very temporary and ultimately leads to discontent, unhappiness, pain and regret (Hebrews 11:25). God has preserved His instruction manual for us, the Holy Bible, that shows us the way to eternal happiness, satisfaction and fulfilment, in this life and the life to come.
Now is the time to realise the incredible privilege of being raised as a young person in God’s church and to appreciate the incredible potential you are being offered. God does the calling, but we have all come into contact with the church through another individual whether directly or indirectly. For most, it is because of the tithes and offerings of brethren that has contributed towards the Tomorrow’s World telecast or magazine. For you, you have come into contact with the church through your parents. What an incredible blessing to have access to God in this way, through the ones who love you the most in this world.
Particularly in these end times, Satan is broadcasting his messages of hate, lust, selfishness, greed and vanity (Ephesians 2:2-3). Just as Satan will target and attack converted brethren in the church and just like Satan targeted Jesus Christ when He was in the flesh to tempt Him to sin, Satan will just as likely come after you. Satan sees your potential and he wants you out of the church. Don’t let him deceive you! Remember that God has sanctified you. You are set apart and are now in a special category with open access to the incredible knowledge of God’s way of life (Matthew 13:10-11). Grab this opportunity with both hands and don’t let it slip away.
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