From the Elder's Pen "To Be Or Not To Be" 12/08/02 Past/Future Articles

 This question has been facing young people for a number of years to be a Christian or not to be a Christian.  Really, there is no question at all.  Everyone wants to go to heaven, and we all know that the only way to get into heaven is to be a Christian and obey the Lord.

 A young person might say, “I am young.  I’ll obey the Lord when I am old and there is nothing left to do.  I’ve got plenty of time.”  Young person, this is foolish thinking.  The reasons for obeying God far outweigh the reasons for obeying Satan.  Let me give you just a few of these reasons.

1.  You might not live to be old.  James 4:14 says that life is just a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  We are all going to die but we don’t know when.  Hebrews 9:27 says that it is appointed unto man once to die, but it doesn’t say at what point in our life that will be.

2. There are many joys and blessings to be received in this life by serving God.  Matthew 19:29 points out that if we forsake all and follow Christ, then we shall receive an hundredfold in this life and everlasting life to come.  Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first, and all these things shall be added unto us.  Another blessing in this life is the fellowship of your brothers and sisters in Christ.  We can be in no better company here on this earth than when we are with the saints of God.

3. If you serve God faithfully, then you will receive the crown of life that will be laid up for you in heaven.  (2 Tim. 4:7,8)

 Just a few words to the wise from some men who knew what they were talking about:  Solomon – “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecc. 12:1).  The apostle Paul to young Timothy – “Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers. (1 Tim. 4:12).