Spiritual Exercise a Must

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 1 Cor. 16: 13. 

An elevated standard is presented before the youth, and God is inviting them to come into real service for Him. True- hearted young men who delight to be learners in the school of Christ, can do a great work for the Master, if they will only give heed to the command of the Captain as it sounds down along the lines to our time, "Quit you like men, be strong." 

Strength comes by exercise. All who put to use the ability which God has given them will have increased ability to devote to His service. Those who do nothing in the cause of God will fail to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. A man who would lie down and refuse to exercise his limbs would soon lose all power to use them. Thus the Christian who will not exercise his God- given powers not only fails to grow up into Christ, but he loses the strength which he already has; he becomes a spiritual paralytic. It is those who, with love for God and their fellow men, are striving to help others that become established, strengthened, settled, in the truth. The true Christian works for God, not from impulse, but from principle; not for a day or a month, but during the entire period of life. 

This world is not a parade ground, but a battlefield. All are called to endure hardness, as good soldiers. They are to be strong and quit themselves like men. . . . The true test of character is found in the willingness to bear burdens, to take the hard place, to do the work that needs to be done, though it bring no earthly recognition or reward. 

O that each one would place a proper estimate upon the capabilities that have been given him of God! Through Christ you may climb the ladder of progress, and bring every power under the control of Jesus. . . . In your own strength you can do nothing; but in the grace of Jesus Christ, you can employ your powers in such a way as to bring the greatest good to your own soul, and the greatest blessing to the souls of others. Lay hold of Jesus, and you will diligently work the works of Christ, and will finally receive the eternal reward.

Leading Someone to Christ

Scripture: "But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

I used to feel like a failure when someone I shared the gospel with said “no” to Jesus. I put a lot of pressure on myself, and evangelism became a tension-filled obligation, rather than the joyful privilege it is meant to be.

By God’s grace, this all changed when I attended a retreat on evangelism. The teacher explained to us that a person's path to salvation could take many steps. Maybe first, he said, they will learn about God's existence and Creation. Perhaps later, they hear about God's love. Still later, they find out how God sent Jesus to show us the Father’s heart, to die for our sins, and offer us eternal life. 

Even after someone hears the Gospel, it might take more Christian influence to help them believe and embrace it. Each interaction you have with a non-believer can make an impact, and help them on their journey to accepting Christ.

Desiring Salvation

The Bible assures us that "everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved" (Joel 2:32). When you love someone, you want to help them find God's salvation. God Himself loves humanity so much that He "wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).

Working Together

Our teacher urged us not to lose heart over those who did not come to faith right away. Instead of seeing people simply as saved or unsaved, he told us to visualize a person’s spiritual journey on a scale from 1 to 10. Just introducing someone to the idea of God, you might help move them from "1" to "2." Another believer might help them the next few steps, and you might have a chance to influence them again, so they can eventually get to "10," coming to a saving faith. After all, all Christians should share God's love, and He has given us different strengths to do so: "the human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12).

Pray over the Message

The Apostle Paul instructed, "pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored" (2 Thessalonians 3:1). When you help someone understand God's loving plan, remember to pray that His Word will have an impact on them. Continue to gently encourage them to accept Jesus as their Savior. Pray that you will "make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response" (Colossians 4:5-6) for those to whom you present the Gospel. 

Finally, remember that you witness with your life as well as your words. Each time you trust God in the midst of trials, or respond with Spirit-filled love to those who hurt you, you encourage non-believers to become Christ-followers as well.

As Jesus Grew

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Luke 2: 40. 

The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, became a babe in Bethlehem, and for a time represented the helpless infant in its mother's care. In childhood He spoke and acted as a child, honoring His parents, and carrying out their wishes in helpful ways. But from the first dawning of intelligence He was constantly growing in grace and in a knowledge of truth. 
 
Parents and teachers should aim so to cultivate the tendencies of the youth that at each stage of life they may represent the beauty appropriate to that period, unfolding naturally, as do the plants in the garden. 

As a child Jesus manifested a peculiar loveliness of disposition. His willing hands were ever ready to serve others. He manifested a patience that nothing could disturb, and a truthfulness that would never sacrifice integrity. In principle firm as a rock, His life revealed the grace of unselfish courtesy.

With deep earnestness the mother of Jesus watched the unfolding of His powers, and beheld the impress of perfection upon His character. With delight she sought to encourage that bright, receptive mind. Through the Holy Spirit she received wisdom to co- operate with the heavenly agencies in the development of this child, who could claim only God as His Father. . . . From her lips and from the scrolls of the prophets, He learned of heavenly things. The very words which He Himself had spoken to Moses for Israel He was now taught at His mother's knee. . . . And spread out before Him was the great library of God's created works. He who had made all things studied the lessons which His own hand had written in earth and sea and sky. . . . Heavenly beings were His attendants, and the culture of holy thoughts and communings was His. From the first dawning of intelligence He was constantly growing in spiritual grace and knowledge of truth.

Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. As we try to become acquainted with our heavenly Father through His Word, angels will draw near, our minds will be strengthened, our characters will be elevated and refined. We shall become more like our Saviour.