Thoughts for Young Men, part 2

Q: What does the Bible say about the importance of the soul?

The soul is the eternal aspect of a person that should be prioritized over worldly pursuits. The Bible speaks profoundly about the soul, emphasizing its eternal nature and significance in relation to God. In Matthew 16:26, Jesus asks, 'For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?' This highlights that worldly achievements and pleasures are fleeting, while the soul's condition is everlasting. Therefore, prioritizing one's soul is paramount, for it is the one aspect that will endure beyond this life, raising questions of salvation and eternal destiny.

Q: How do we know it's possible to serve God as a young man?

Serving God in youth is not only possible but encouraged in the Bible. The notion that a true Christian cannot be developed in youth is a delusion often propagated by the world. The Bible clearly refutes this claim, presenting numerous examples of young figures such as David, Daniel, and Timothy, who faithfully served God in their youth. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul exhorts Timothy to not let others look down on him because of his age, affirming that his youth can be an example of godliness. This emphasizes that fervent faith and dedication to God can flourish in the young, supported by God's grace and strength.

Q: Why is reading the Bible important for young men?

Reading the Bible equips young men with wisdom and guidance for life. Reading and meditating on Scripture is vital for young men as it serves as the primary guide for a righteous life. Psalm 119:9 asks, 'How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.' The Bible contains God's revealed truth and instructions that lead to spiritual growth, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of one's purpose in life. Regular engagement with the Word strengthens one’s faith, equips them against temptation, and cultivates a heart aligned with God's will.

Q: What warnings does the Bible give about friendships?

Choosing friends carefully is crucial to avoid moral corruption. The Bible warns about the profound impact that friendships can have on one's spiritual state. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, it states, 'Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.' This highlights the risk of associating closely with those who do not fear God, as their influences can lead one away from righteous living. Young men are encouraged to form friendships that uplift their faith and lead them closer to God while being cautious of those who might drag them into sin or compromise their values.

Q: How can young men effectively resist temptation?

Young men can resist temptation through prayer and reliance on God's strength. Resisting temptation is a significant challenge for young men, yet the Bible provides clear guidance on how to overcome it. Matthew 26:41 encourages believers to 'watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation.' Prayer is essential, as it seeks God's strength and intervention. Moreover, establishing boundaries to avoid situations that may tempt us is crucial, as exemplified by Joseph in Genesis 39:10, who actively avoided the advances of sin. By committing to prayer and practicing vigilance, young men can navigate the enticements of the world.

The works of statesmen, writers, painters, architects, are all short-lived. Your soul will outlive them all. The angel's voice shall proclaim one day that time shall be no longer Revelation 10, 6. But that shall never be said of your souls. Try, I beseech you, to realize the fact that your soul is the one thing worth living for. It is the part of you which ought always to be first considered. No place, no employment is good for you which injures your soul. No friend, no companion deserves your confidence who makes light of your soul's concerns. The man who hurts your body, your property, your character, does you but temporary harm. He is the true enemy who seeks always to damage your soul.

Think for a moment. What were you sent into the world for? Not merely to eat and drink and indulge the desires of the flesh. Not merely to dress up your body and follow its lusts wherever they may lead you. Not merely to work and sleep and laugh and talk and enjoy yourself and think of nothing but time. No, you were meant for something higher and better than this. You were placed here to train for eternity. Your body was only intended to be a house for your never-dying spirit. It is flying in the face of God's purposes to do as many do, to make the soul a servant to the body and not the body a servant to the soul.

Young man, God is no respecter of persons. He regards no man's coat or wallet or rank or position. He sees not with man's eyes. See 1 Samuel 16 7. The poorest saint that ever died in a workhouse is nobler in his sight than the richest sinner that ever died in a palace. God does not look at riches, titles, learning, beauty, or anything of the kind. One thing only God does look at, and that is the never dying soul. He measures all men by one standard, one measure, one test, one criterion, and that is the condition of their soul. Do not forget this. Keep in view, morning, noon, and night, the interests of your soul. Rise up each day desiring that it may prosper. Lie down each evening inquiring of yourself whether it has really made progress.

Remember Zeuxis. the great painter of old. When men asked him why he labored so intensely and took such extreme pains with every picture, his simple answer was, I paint for eternity. Do not be ashamed to be like him. Set your never-dying soul before your mind's eye, and when men ask you why you live as you do, answer them in his spirit. I live for my soul. Believe me, the day is fast approaching when the soul will be the one thing men will think of, and the only question of importance will be this. Is my soul lost or saved?

4. For another thing, remember that it is possible to be a young man and yet to serve God. I fear the snares that Satan lays for you on this point. I fear lest he succeed in filling your minds with the vain notion that to be a true Christian in youth is impossible. I have seen many carried away by this delusion. I have heard it said, you are requiring impossibilities in expecting so much religion from young people. Youth is no time for seriousness. Our desires are strong and it was never intended that we should keep them under control as you wish us to do. God meant us to enjoy ourselves. There will be time enough for religion later on. And this kind of talk is only too much encouraged by the world. The world is only too ready to wink at youthful sins. The world appears to take it for granted that young men must sow their wild oats. The world seems to take it for granted young people must be irreligious and that it is not possible for them to follow Christ.

Young man, I will ask you this simple question. Where will you find anything of all this in the Word of God? Where is the chapter or verse in the Bible which will support this talking and reasoning of the world? Does not the Bible speak to old and young alike? without distinction, is not sin, sin, whether committed at the age of 20 or 50, will it form the slightest excuse in the day of judgment to say, I know I sinned, but then I was young. Show your common sense, I beg of you, by giving up such vain excuses. You are responsible and accountable to God from the very moment you know right and wrong. I know well there are many difficulties in a young man's way, I admit it fully. But there are always difficulties in the way of doing right. The path to heaven is always narrow, whether we be young or old. See Jesus's words in Matthew 7, 13 and 14. There are difficulties, but God will give you grace to overcome them. God is no hard master. He will not, like Pharaoh, require you to make bricks without straw. He will make sure the path of plain duty is never impossible. He never laid commands on man, which He will not give man power to perform.

There are difficulties, but many a young man has overcome them up to now, and so may you. Moses was a young man of like passions with yourself, but see what is said of him in Scripture. By faith, Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, For he looked to the reward. Hebrews 11 24-26 Daniel was a young man when he began to serve God in Babylon. He was surrounded by temptations of every kind. He had few with him and many against him. Yet Daniel's life was so blameless and consistent that even his enemies could find no fault in him except concerning the law of his God. Daniel 6, 5. And these are not solitary cases. There is a cloud of witnesses whom I could name. Time would fail me if I were to tell you of young Isaac, young Joseph, young Joshua, young Samuel, young David, young Solomon, young Obadiah, young Josiah, young Timothy. These were not angels, but men with hearts naturally like your own. They too had obstacles to contend with, lusts to mortify, trials to endure, hard places to fill, just like yourself. But young as they were, they all found it possible to serve God.

Will they not all rise in judgment and condemn you if you persist in saying it cannot be done? Young man, try to serve God. Resist the devil when he whispers it is impossible. Try, and the Lord God of the promises will give you strength in the trying. He loves to meet those who struggle to come to Him and He will meet you and give you the power that you feel you need. Be like the man whom Bunyan's pilgrim saw in the Interpreter's house. Go forward boldly saying, set down my name. Those words of our Lord are true, though I often hear them repeated by heartless and callous tongues. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7, 7. Difficulties which seemed like mountains shall melt away like snow in spring. Obstacles which seemed like giants in the hazy distance shall dwindle into nothing when you squarely face them. The lion in the way which you fear shall prove to be chained. If man believed the promises more, They would never be afraid of duties, but remember that little word I press upon you, and when Satan says, you cannot be a Christian while you are young, answer him. Get behind me, Satan. By God's help, I will try.

5. For another thing, determine as long as you live to make the Bible your guide and advisor. The Bible is God's merciful provision for sinful man's soul, the map by which he must steer his course if he would attain eternal life. All that we need to know in order to make us peaceful, holy, or happy is there, richly contained. If a young man wants to know how to begin life well, let him hear what David says. How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word. Psalm 119. 9. Young man, I challenge you to make a habit of reading the Bible and not to let the habit be broken. Let not the laughter of companions, let not the bad customs of the family you may live in, let none of these things prevent your doing it. Determine that you will not only have a Bible, but also make time to read it too. Permit no man to persuade you that it is only a book for Sunday school children and old women. It is the book from which King David got wisdom and understanding. It is the book which young Timothy knew from his childhood. Never be ashamed of reading it. Do not despise the word. Proverbs 13, 13. Read it with prayer for the Spirit's grace to make you understand it. Bishop Beveridge said, a man may as soon read the letter of scripture without eyes as understand the spirit of it without grace. Read it reverently as the Word of God, not of man, believing implicitly that what it approves is right and what it condemns is wrong. Be very sure that every doctrine which will not stand the test of Scripture is false. This will keep you from being tossed to and fro and carried about by the dangerous opinions of these latter days. Be very sure that every practice in your life which is contrary to scripture is sinful and must be given up. This will settle many a question of conscience and cut the knot of many a doubt. Remember how differently two kings of Judah read the word of God. Jehoiachin read it and at once cut the writing to pieces and burned it on the fire, Jeremiah 36, 23. And why? Because his heart rebelled against it and he was resolved not to obey. Josiah read it and at once rent his clothes and cried mightily to the Lord, 2 Chronicles 34, 19. And why? because his heart was tender and obedient. He was ready to do anything which scripture showed him was his duty. Oh, that you may follow the last of these two and not the first. And read it regularly. This is the only way to become mighty in the scriptures. A hasty glance at the Bible now and then does little good. At that rate you will never become familiar with its treasures or feel the sword of the spirit fitted to your hand in the hour of conflict. But get your mind stored with scripture by diligent reading and you will soon discover its value and power. Texts will rise up in your heart in the moment of temptation. Commands will suggest themselves in seasons of doubt. Promises will come across your thoughts in the time of discouragement. And thus you will experience the truth of David's words. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119, 11. And soundness of Solomon's words. When you roam, they will lead you. When you sleep, they will keep you. And when you awake, they will speak with you. Proverbs 6, 22.

I dwell on these things more because this is an age of reading. Of making many books, there seems no end, though few of them are really profitable. There seems a rage for cheap printing and publishing. Newspapers of every sort abound, and the tone of some, which have the widest circulation, speaks badly for the taste of the age.

Amidst the flood of dangerous reading, I plead for my master's book. I call upon you not to forget the book of the soul. Let not newspapers, novels, and romances be read while the prophets and apostles lie despised. Let not the exciting and lustful swallow up your attention, while the edifying and the sanctifying can find no place in your mind. Young man, give the Bible the honor due to it every day you live. Whatever you read, read that first, and beware of bad books. There are plenty in this day. Take heed what you read. I suspect there is more harm done to souls in this way than most people have an idea is possible. Value all books in proportion as they are agreeable to scripture. Those that are nearest to it are the best, and those that are farthest from it, and most contrary to it, the worst.

6. And finally, one more thing. Never make an intimate friend of anyone who is not a friend of God. Understand me. I do not speak of acquaintances. I do not mean that you ought to have nothing to do with any but true Christians. To take such a position is neither possible nor desirable in this world. Christianity asks no man to be uncourteous. But I do advise you to be very careful in your choice of friends. Do not open all your heart to a man merely because he is clever, agreeable, good-natured, high-spirited, and kind. These things are all very well in their way, but they are not everything. Never be satisfied with the friendship of anyone who will not be useful to your soul. Believe me, the importance of this advice cannot be overrated. There is no telling the harm that is done by associating with godless companions and friends. The devil has few better helps in ruining a man's soul. Grant him this help, and he cares little for all the armor with which you may be armed against him. Good education, early habits of morality, sermons, books, carefully regulated homes, letters of parents, all he knows well, will avail you little if you will only cling to ungodly friends. You may resist many open temptations, refuse many plain snares, but once take up with a bad companion, and he is content.

That awful chapter which describes Amnon's wicked conduct about Tamar almost begins with these words. But Amnon had a friend, a very crafty man. 2 Samuel 13 3

You must remember we are all creatures of imitation. Precept may teach us, but it is example that draws us. There is something in us all that we are always disposed to catch the ways of those with whom we live. And the more we like them, the stronger does the disposition grow. Without our being aware of it, they influence our tastes and opinions. We gradually give up what they dislike and take up what they like in order to become closer friends with them. And worst of all, we catch their ways in things that are wrong far quicker than in things that are right. Health, unhappily, is not contagious, but disease is. It is far more easy to catch a chill than to impart a glow, and to make each other's religion dwindle away than grow and prosper. Young man, I ask you to lay these things to heart. Before you let anyone become your constant companion, before you get into the habit of telling him everything and going to him in all your troubles and all your pleasures, before you do this, just think of what I have been saying. Ask yourself, will this be a useful friendship to me or not? Evil company does indeed corrupt good habits.

1 Corinthians 15 33

I wish that text were written in hearts as often as it is in notebooks. Good friends are among our greatest blessings. They may keep us back from much evil, quicken us in our course, speak a word in season, draw us upward, and draw us on. But a bad friend is a positive misfortune, a weight continually dragging us down and chaining us to earth. Keep company with an irreligious man, and it is more than probable you will end becoming like him. That is the general consequence of all such friendships. The good go down to the bad, and the bad do not come up to the good. Even a stone will give way before the continual dripping of water. The world's proverb is only too correct. Clothes and company tell true tales about one's character. Show me who a man lives with, says the Spaniards, and I will show you what he is.

I dwell more upon this point because it has more to do with your well-being in life than at first sight appears. If ever you marry, it is more than probable you will choose a wife among the connections of your friends. If Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram had not formed a friendship with Ahab's family, he would most likely not have married Ahab's daughter. and who can estimate the importance of a right choice in marriage. It is a step which, according to the old saying, either makes a man or mars him. Your happiness in both lives may depend on it. Your wife must either help your soul or harm it. There is no neutral. She will either fan the flame of religion in your heart or throw cold water upon it and make it burn low. She will either be wings or fetters. a reign or a spur to your Christianity according to her character. He that finds a good wife does indeed find a good thing, but if you have the least wish to find one, be very careful how you choose your friends.

Do you ask me what kind of friends you shall choose? Choose friends who will benefit your soul. Friends whom you can really respect. Friends whom you would like to have near you on your deathbed. Friends who love the Bible and are not afraid to speak to you about it. Friends such as you will not be ashamed of acknowledging at the coming of Christ and the Day of Judgment. Follow the example that David sets for you when he says, I am a companion of all who fear you and of those who keep your precepts.

Psalm 119, 63.

Remember also the words of Solomon. He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Proverbs 13, 20.

But depend on it. Bad company in the present life is the sure way to obtain worse company in the life to come.

Chapter Four Special Rules for Young Men

In the last place, I will set down some particular rules of conduct which I strongly advise all young men to follow.

1. For one thing, resolve at once, by God's help, to break off every known sin, however small. Look within. Examine your own heart. Do you see there any habit or custom which you know to be wrong in the sight of God? If you do, do not delay a moment in attacking it. Resolve at once to lay it aside. Nothing darkens the eyes of the mind so much and deadens the conscience so surely as an allowed sin. It may be a little one, but it is not the less dangerous for all that. A small leak will sink a great ship, and a small spark will kindle a great fire, and a little allowed sin in the same way will ruin a never-dying soul. Take my advice and never spare a little sin.

Sistrio was commanded to slay every Canaanite, both great and small, act on the same principle, and show no mercy to little sins. Well, says the wise man Solomon, take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines. Song of Solomon.

be sure no wicked man ever meant to be so wicked at his first beginning but he began with allowing himself some little transgression and that led on to something greater and that in time produced something still greater and thus he became the miserable being that he now is

When Haziel heard from Elisha of the horrible acts that he would one day do, he said with astonishment, But what is your servant, a dog, that he should do this gross thing? 2 Kings 8.15 But he allowed sin to take root in his heart, and in the end he did them all.

Young man, resist sin in its beginning. They may look small and insignificant, but mind what I say. Resist them. Make no compromise. Let no sin lodge quietly and undisturbed in your heart. The mother of mischief, says an old proverb, is no bigger than a midge's wing. There is nothing finer than the point of a needle, and when it has made a hole, it draws all the thread after it. Remember the Apostles' words, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. 1 Corinthians 5.6.

Many a young man could tell you with sorrow and shame that he traces up the ruin of all his worldly well-being to the point I am speaking of, to giving way to sin in its beginnings. He began with habits of falsehood and dishonesty in little matters, and they grew upon him. Step by step he has gone on from bad to worse, till he has done things that at one time he would have thought impossible. Till at last he has lost his place, lost his character, lost his comfort, and wellnigh lost his soul. He allowed a gap in the wall of his conscience, because it seemed a little one. And once allowed, that gap grew larger every day, till at length the whole wall seemed to come down.

Remember this especially in matters of truth and honesty. Make conscience of the most seemingly insignificant matters. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much. Luke 16 10.

Whatever the world may choose to say, there are no little sins. All great buildings are made up of little parts. The first stone is as important as any other. All habits are formed by a succession of little acts. and the first little act is of mighty consequence. The axe in the fable only begged the trees to let him have one little piece of wood to make a handle, and he would never trouble them anymore. He got it, and then he soon cut them all down. The devil only wants to get the wedge of a little allowed sin into your heart, and you will soon be all his own.

It is the wisest saying of old William Bridge. There is nothing small between us and God, for God is an infinite God.

There are two ways of coming down from the top of a church steeple. One is to jump down and the other is to come down by the steps. But both will lead you to the bottom. So also there are two ways of going to hell. One is to walk into it with your eyes open. Few people do that. The other is to go down by the steps of little sins. And that way, I fear, is only too common.

Put up with a few little sins and you will soon want a few more. Even a heathen could say whoever was content with only one sin. And then your course will be regularly worse and worse every year. Well did Jeremy Taylor describe the progress of sin in a man? First it startles him, then it becomes pleasing, then easy, then delightful, then frequent, then habitual, then confirmed. Then the man is impenitent, then obstinate, then resolves never to repent, and finally, he is damned.

Young man, if you would not come to this tragic end, recall the rule I give you this day and resolve at once to break off every known sin.

2. For another thing, resolve by God's help to shun everything which may prove an occasion of sin. It is an excellent saying of good Bishop Hall, he who would be safe from the acts of evil must widely avoid the occasions of it. It is not enough that we determine to commit no sin, we must carefully keep at a distance from all approaches to it.

By this time, we ought to try our ways of spending our time, the books that we read, the families that we visit, the society into which we go. We must not content ourselves with saying, there is nothing positively wrong here. We must go further and say, is there anything here which may prove to me the occasion of stumbling into sin? This, be it remembered, is one great reason why idleness is so much to be avoided.

It is not that doing nothing is of itself so positively wicked. It is the opportunity it affords to evil thoughts and vain imaginations. It is the wide door it opens for Satan to throw in the seeds of bad things. It is this which is mainly to be feared. If David had not given occasion to the devil by idling away his time on his housetop at Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 11, 1 and following, he would probably never have seen Bathsheba nor murdered Uriah.

This too is one great reason why worldly amusements are so objectionable. It may be difficult in some instances to show that they are in themselves positively unscriptural and wrong, but there is little difficulty in showing that the tendency of almost all of them is most injurious to the soul. They sow the seeds of an earthly and sensual frame of mind. They war against the life of faith. They promote an unhealthy and unnatural craving after excitement. They minister to the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye and the pride of life. They dim the view of heaven and eternity and give a false color to the things of time. They make the heart unfit for private prayer and scripture reading and a calm communion with God.

The man who mingles in them is like one who gives Satan vantage ground. He has a battle to fight and he gives his enemy the help of sun and wind and hill. It would be strange indeed if he did not find himself continually overcome.

Young man, endeavor as much as in you lies, to keep clear of everything which may prove injurious to your soul. Never hold a candle to the devil. People may say you are over scrupulous, too particular, where is the mighty harm of such and such things? but do not heed them. It is dangerous to play tricks with sharp-edged tools. It is far more dangerous to take liberties with your never-dying soul. He that would be safe must not come near the brink of danger. He must look upon his heart as a keg of gunpowder and be cautious not to handle one spark of temptation more than he can help.

What is the use of your praying? Lead us not into temptation, unless you are yourself careful not to run into it, and deliver us from evil, unless you show a desire to keep out of its way. Take, for example, Joseph. Not only did he refuse the seductive advances of his master's wife, but he showed his prudence in refusing to be with her at all. Genesis 39.10

Lay to heart the advice of wise Solomon. Do not merely refuse to enter the path of the wicked, but avoid it. Do not travel on it, turn away from it, and pass on. Proverbs 4, 15. Do not merely avoid drunkenness, but refuse even to look upon the wine when it is red. Proverbs 23, 31. The man who took the vow of a Nazirite in Israel not only took no wine, but he even abstained from grapes in any form, whatever.

Abhor what is evil, says Paul to the Romans, Romans 12, 9, not simply do not do it, flee youthful lusts he writes to Timothy that is get away from them as far as possible 2nd Timothy 2 22 oh how necessary are such cautions Dinah must go out among the wicked Shechemites to see their ways and as a result she lost her character Genesis 34 must pitch his tent near sinful Sodom and he lost everything but his life see Genesis 13 10 through 13 and Genesis 19 1 and following

Young man, be wise in time. Do not be always trying to see how near you can allow the enemy of your soul to come, and yet escape him. Hold him at arm's length. Try to keep clear of temptation as far as possible, and this will be one great help to keep clear of sin.

Three. For another thing, resolve never to forget the eye of God. The eye of God. Think of that. Everywhere, in every house, in every field, in every room, in every company, alone or in a crowd, the eye of God is always upon you. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15, 3. And they are eyes that read hearts as well as actions. Hebrews 4, 12 and 13.

Endeavor, I beseech you to realize this fact. Remember that you have to deal with an all-seeing God, a God who never slumbers nor sleeps. Psalm 121. a God who understands your thoughts afar off, Psalm 139.2, and with whom the night shines as the day. You may leave your father's house and go away like the prodigal into a far country, and think that there is nobody to watch your conduct, but the eye and ear of God are there before you. You may deceive your parents or employers, you may tell them falsehoods and be one thing before their faces and another behind their backs, but you cannot deceive God. He knows you through and through. He heard what you said as you spoke to people today. He knows what you are thinking of at this minute. He has set your most secret sins in the light of his countenance and they will one day come out before the world. To your shame unless you take heed.

How little is this really felt? How many things are done continually which men would never do if they thought they were seen? How many matters are transacted in the chambers of imagination which would never bear the light of day? Yes, men entertain thoughts in private, and say words in private, and do acts in private. which they would be ashamed and blush to have exposed before the world. The sound of a footstep coming has stopped many a deed of wickedness. A knock at the door has caused many an evil work to be hastily suspended and hurriedly laid aside.

But oh, what miserable, driveling folly is all this! There is an all-seeing witness with us wherever we go. Lock the door. Draw down the blinds. Close the shutters. Put out the light. It does not matter. It makes no difference. God is everywhere. You cannot shut Him out or prevent His seeing. All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4, 13.

Well, did young Joseph understand this when his master's wife tempted him? There was no one in the house to see them, no human eye to witness against him, but Joseph was one who lived as seeing him that is invisible. How can I do this great wickedness, he said, and sin against God? Genesis 39, 9.

Young man, I ask you to read Psalm 139. I advise you to learn it by heart. Make it the test of all your dealings in this world's business. Say to yourself often, Do I remember that God sees me? Live as in the sight of God. This is what Abraham did. He walked before Him. This is what Enoch did. He walked with him. This is what heaven itself will be. The eternal presence of God.

Do nothing you would not like God to see. Say nothing you would not like God to hear. Write nothing you would not like God to read. Go to no place where you would not like God to find you. Read no book of which you would not like God to say, show it to me. Never spend your time in such a way that you would not like to have God say, what are you doing?

Four, for another thing, be diligent in the use of all public means of grace. Be regular in going to the house of God whenever it is open for prayer and preaching, and it is in your power to attend. Be regular in keeping the Lord's day holy, and determine that God's day out of the seven shall hereafter always be given to its rightful owner.

I would not leave any false impression on your minds. Do not go away and say that I told you that keeping your church duties made up the whole of true religion. I tell you no such thing. I have no wish to see you grow up formalists. and Pharisees. If you think the mere carrying of your body to a certain house at certain times on a certain day in the week will make you a Christian and prepare you to meet God, I tell you flatly, you are miserably deceived.

All services without heart service are unprofitable and vain. They only are true worshipers who worship God in spirit and in truth. The Father seeks such to worship Him. John 4, 23.

But means of grace are not to be despised because they are not saviors. Gold is not food. You cannot eat it. But you would not therefore say it is useless and throw it away. Your soul's eternal well-being most certainly does not depend on means of grace. But it is no less certain that without them, as a general rule, your soul will not be well.

God might take all who are saved to heaven in a chariot of fire as he did Elijah, but he does not do so. He might teach them all by visions and dreams and miraculous interventions without requiring them to read or think for themselves, but he does not do so. And why not? because he is a God that works by means, and it is his law and will that in all man's dealings with him means shall be used.

None but a fool or fanatic would think of building a house without ladders and scaffolding, and just so no wise man will despise means, especially when ordained by God. I dwell more on this point because Satan will try hard to fill your minds with arguments against the use of means. He will draw your attention to the number of persons who use them and are no better for the using. See there, he will whisper, do you not observe that those who go to church are no better than those who stay away? But do not let this move you. It is never fair to argue against a thing because it is improperly used. It does not follow that means of grace can do no good because many attend on them and get no good from them.

Medicine is not to be despised because many take it and do not recover their health. No man would think of giving up eating and drinking because others choose to eat and drink improperly and so make themselves ill. The value of the means of grace, like other things, depends in a great measure on the manner and spirit in which we use them.

I dwell on this point, too, because of the strong anxiety I feel that every young man should regularly hear the preaching of Christ's gospel. I cannot tell you how important I think this is. By God's blessing, the ministry of the gospel might be the means of converting your soul, of leading you to a saving knowledge of Christ, of making you a child of God, indeed, and in truth. This would be cause for eternal thankfulness, indeed. This would be an event over which angels would rejoice.

But even if this were not the case, there is a restraining power and influence in the ministry of the gospel, under which I earnestly desire every young man to be brought. There are thousands whom it keeps back from evil, though it has not yet turned them unto God. It has made them far better members of society, though it has not yet made them true Christians.

There is a certain kind of mysterious power in the faithful preaching of the gospel which insensibly affects multitudes who listen to it without receiving it into their hearts. To hear sin cried down and holiness cried up, to hear Christ exalted and the works of the devil denounced, To hear the kingdom of heaven and its blessedness described, and the world and its emptiness exposed. To hear this week after week, Sunday after Sunday, is seldom without good effect to the soul. It makes it far harder afterwards to run into any excessive and riotous living. It acts as a wholesome check upon a man's heart.

This, I believe, is one way in which that promise of God is made good. My word shall not return unto me void. Isaiah 55 11 There is much truth in that strong saying of Whitfield. The gospel keeps many a one from the jail and gallows, even if it does not keep him from hell.

Let me here name another point which is closely connected with this subject. Let nothing ever tempt you to become a Sabbath breaker. I press this on your attention. Make a conscience of giving all your Sabbath to God. A spirit of disregard for this holy day is growing up among us with fearful rapidity and not least among young men. Sunday traveling, Sunday visiting, Sunday outings are becoming every year more common than they were and are doing infinite harm to souls.

Young men, be jealous on this point. Whether you live in town or country, take a decided stand and resolve not to profane your Sabbath. Let not the plausible argument of needful relaxation for your body, let not the example of all around you, let not the invitation of companions, with whom you may be thrown, let none of these things move you to depart from this settled rule, that God's day shall be given to God. Once you give up caring for the Sabbath, in the end, you will give up caring for your soul. The steps which lead to this conclusion are easy and regular. Begin with not honoring God's day, and you will soon not honor God's house. Cease to honor God's house, and you will soon cease to honor God's book. Cease to honor God's book, and ultimately, you will give God no honor at all. Let a man lay the foundation of having no Sabbath, and I am never surprised if he finishes with the top stone of no God.

It is a remarkable saying of Judge Hale of all the persons who were convicted of capital crimes. While he was upon the bench, he found only a few who would not confess on inquiry that they began their career of wickedness. by a neglect of the Sabbath.

Young men, you may be thrown among companions who forget the honor of the Lord's Day, but resolved by God's help that you will always remember to keep it holy. Honor it by a regular attendance at some place where the gospel is preached. Settle down under a faithful ministry, and once settled, let your place in church never be empty. Believe me, you will find a special blessing following you if you call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words. Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth. Isaiah 58, 13 and 14.

And one thing is very certain, your feelings about the Sabbath will always be a test and gauge of your fitness for heaven. They are a foretaste and fragment of heaven. The man who finds them a burden and not a privilege may be sure that his heart stands in need of a mighty change.

Five. And one last thing, resolve that wherever you are, you will pray. Prayer is the life breath of a man's soul. Without it, we may have a name to live and be counted Christians, but we are dead in the sight of God. The feeling that we must cry to God for mercy and peace is a mark of grace, and the habit of spreading before him our soul's needs is an evidence that we have the spirit of adoption. And prayer is the appointed way to obtain the relief of our spiritual necessities. It opens the treasury and sets the fountain flowing. If we have not, it is because we ask not. James 4

Prayer is the way to procure the outpouring of the Spirit upon our hearts. Jesus has promised the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, John 14, 16. He is ready to come down with all his precious gifts, renewing, sanctifying, purifying, strengthening, cheering, encouraging, enlightening, teaching, directing, and guiding into all truth. But then, he waits. to be entreated. And here it is, I say with sorrow, here it is that men fall short so miserably. Few indeed are to be found who pray, many who go down on their knees and say a form perhaps, but few who pray. few who cry unto God, few who call upon the Lord, few who seek as if they wanted to find, few who knock as if they hungered and thirsted, few who wrestle, few who strive with God earnestly for an answer, few who give Him no rest, few who continue in prayer, few who watch unto prayer, few who pray always without ceasing and faint not, yes, Few pray. It is just one of the things assumed as a matter of policy, but seldom practiced. A thing which is everybody's business, but in fact hardly anybody performs.

Young man, believe me, if your soul is to be saved, you must pray. God has no silent children. If you are to resist the world, the flesh, and the devil, you must pray. It is in vain to look for strength in the hour of trial, if it has not been sought for. You may be thrown together with those who never do it. You may have to sleep in the same room with someone who never asks anything of God. Still, mark my words, you must pray.

I can quite believe you find great difficulties about it, difficulties about opportunities and seasons and places. I dare not lay down too precise a set of rules on such points as these. I leave them to your own conscience. You must be guided by circumstances. Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed on a mountain. Isaac prayed in the fields. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall as he lay upon his bed. Daniel prayed by the riverside. Peter the apostle on the housetop. I have heard of young men praying in stables and haylots. All that I contend for is this. You must know what it is to enter into your closet. Matthew 6, 6. There must be stated times when you must speak to God face to face. You must every day have your seasons for prayer. You must pray. Without this, all other advice and counsel is useless.

This is that piece of spiritual armor which Paul names last in his list in Ephesians 6, but it is in truth first in value and important. This is that meat which you must daily eat if you would travel safely through the wilderness of this life. It is only in the strength of this that you will get onward towards the mount of God. I have heard it said that the needle grinders of Sheffield sometimes wear a magnetic mouthpiece at their work which catches all the fine dust that flies around them, prevents it entering their lungs and so saves their lives. Prayer is the mouthpiece that you must wear continually or else you will never work on uninjured by the unhealthy atmosphere of this sinful world. You must pray.

Young man, be sure no time is so well spent as that which a man spends upon his knees. Make time for this, whatever your employment may be. Think of David, king of Israel, what does he say? Evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice. Psalm 55, 17. Think of Daniel. He had all the business of a kingdom on his hands, yet he prayed three times a day. Daniel 6, 10. See there the secret of his safety in wicked Babylon. Think of Solomon. He begins his reign with prayer for help and assistance, and thus his wonderful prosperity. 2 Chronicles 1, 7-12. Think of Nehemiah, he could find a time to pray to the God of heaven even when standing in the presence of his master, Artaxerxes, Nehemiah 2, 4. Think of the example these godly men have left you and go and do likewise.

O that the Lord may give you the spirit of grace and supplication. Zechariah 12.10. Will you not from this time cry to me, my father, you are the guide of my youth. Jeremiah 3.4. I would gladly allow all the words of this book to be forgotten if only this doctrine of the importance of prayer were impressed upon your heart.

Chapter 5. Concluding remarks to young men. And now I hasten towards a conclusion. I have said things that many perhaps will not like and not receive, but I appeal to your conscience. Are they not true? Young man, you do have a conscience. Corrupt and ruined by the fall as we are, each of us has a conscience. In a corner of each heart there sits a witness for God, a witness who condemns when we do wrong and approves when we do right. To that witness I make my appeal this day. Are not the things that I have been saying true? Go then, young man, and resolve this day to remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the day of grace is past, before your conscience has become hardened by age and deadened by repeated trampling underfoot While you have strength and time and opportunities, go and join yourself to the Lord in an everlasting covenant not to be forgotten. Isaiah 55, 1-3

The Spirit will not always strive with you. The voice of conscience will become feebler and fainter every year you continue to resist it. The Athenians said to Paul, We will hear you again on this matter. But they had heard him for the last time. Acts 17.32. Make haste and do not delay. Linger and hesitate no more. Think of the unspeakable comfort you will give to parents, relatives, and friends if you take my counsel. They have expended time, money, and health to raise you and make you what you are. Surely they deserve some consideration at your hands who can estimate the joy and gladness which young people have it in their power to occasion, who can tell the anxiety and sorrow that songs like Esau and Hopsni and Phineas and Absalom may cause? Truly indeed, does Solomon say, a wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother. Proverbs 10, 1. Oh, consider these things and give God your heart. Let it not be said of you at last, as it is of so many, that your youth was a blunder, your manhood a struggle, and your old age a regret.

Think of the instruments of good you may be to the world. Almost all the most notable saints of God sought the Lord early. Moses, Samuel, David, and Daniel all served God from their youth. God seems to delight in putting special honor upon young servants. And what might we not confidentially expect if young men in our own day would consecrate the springtime of their lives to God? Agents are needed now in almost every great and good cause and cannot be found. Machinery of every kind for spreading truth exists, but there are not enough hands to work it. Money is more easily gotten for doing good than men. Ministers are needed for new churches. Missionaries are needed for new fields. Visitors are needed for neglected districts. and teachers are needed for new schools. Many a good cause is standing still merely for lack of agents. The supply of godly, faithful, trustworthy men for posts like those I have named is far below the demand.

Young man, in this present day, you are needed for God. This is peculiarly an age of activity. We are shaking off some of our past selfishness. Men no longer sleep the sleep of apathy and indifference about others as their forefathers did. They are beginning to be ashamed of thinking like Cain. Am I my brother's keeper? Genesis 4, 9. A wide field of usefulness is open before you if you are only willing to enter upon it. The harvest is great, and the laborers are few. Be zealous of good works. Come, come to the help of the Lord's cause against the mighty forces of evil mounting every day. This is, in some sort, to be like God, not only good, but doing good. Psalm 119.68 This is the way to follow the steps of your Lord and Savior. He went about doing good. This is to live as David did. He served his own generation by the will of God. Acts 13.36 And who can doubt that this is the path which is most fitting to a never-dying soul? Who would not rather leave this world like Josiah, lamented by all, 2 Chronicles 35, 24 and 25, than to depart like Jehoram to no one's sorrow, 2 Chronicles 21, 20? Consider, is it better to be an idle, frivolous, useless cumberer of the ground, to live for your body, your selfishness, your lusts and your pride, or to spend and be spent in the glorious cause of usefulness to your fellow men? Is it better to be self-centered or to be like William Wilberforce or Lord Shaftesbury, a blessing to your country and the world?

Or to be like Howard, the friend of the prisoner and the captive? To be like Schwartz, the spiritual father of hundreds of never-dying souls in heathen lands? To be like that man of God, Robert Murray McCheney, a burning and a shining light, an epistle of Christ, known and read by all men, the quickener of every Christian heart that comes across your path. Oh, who can doubt? Who can for one moment doubt?

Young man, consider your responsibilities. Think of the privilege and luxury of doing good. Resolve this day to be useful. At once, give your heart to Christ.

Think, finally, of the happiness that will come to your own soul if you serve God. Happiness, by the way, as you travel through life, and happiness in the end when the journey is over. Believe me, whatever vain notions you may have heard, believe me, there is a reward for the righteous even in this world. Luke 18, 29 and 30. Godliness has indeed the promise of this life, as well as of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4, 8.

There is a solid peace in feeling and knowing that God is your friend. There is a genuine satisfaction in knowing that however great your unworthiness, You are complete in Christ, that you have an enduring portion, that you have chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from you. Luke 10, 42. The backslider in heart may well be filled with his own ways, but a good man shall be satisfied from himself. Proverbs 14, 14.

The path of the worldly man grows darker and darker every year that he lives. The path of the Christian is as a shining light, brighter and brighter to the very end. Proverbs 4, 18 and 19. His sun is just rising when the sun of the worldly is setting forever. His best things are all beginning to blossom and bloom forever. when those of the worldly are all slipping out of his hands and passing away.

Young man, these things are true. Bear with this word of exhortation. Be persuaded. Take up the cross. Follow Christ. Yield yourself to God.

Thoughts for Young Men, part 2

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the importance of the soul?

How do we know it's possible to serve God as a young man?

Why is reading the Bible important for young men?

What warnings does the Bible give about friendships?

How can young men effectively resist temptation?

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Thoughts for Young Men, part 2

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about the importance of the soul?

How do we know it's possible to serve God as a young man?

Why is reading the Bible important for young men?

What warnings does the Bible give about friendships?

How can young men effectively resist temptation?

Sermon Transcript

About J.C. Ryle

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