A Good Start
Posted 5/27/2001
A few character studies on youth:
- Jeroboam - valiant and industrious, to setting up God-less northern Israel 2Ki 11:28
- Started: As a man of standing, of valor; industrious
- Ended: Idolatrous, followed wrong counsel
- Because: He made bad decisions to disobey God
- Young ruler - faithfully kept the law, but loved money more than God Mr 10:20
- Started: Good, kept God's commands, and became rich
- Ended: Loved things, didn't love God
- Because: Didn't truly understand God's law
- Paul - passionately kept the law, but met Jesus, and then passionately served Him Act 26:4
- Started: Self-righteous, proud, well-educated, religious, traditional
- Ended: Imprisoned, broken/humble, transformed, obedient, enduring
- Because: Jesus Christ changed his life, he was zealous
- Josiah - decided early on to serve God, and made huge efforts toward wiping out the corruption around him 2Ki 23
- Started: Humble, trusted the Lord, consistent, righteous, teachable, stood alone doing right
- Ended: Obeyed the law, purged idolatry, encouraged others to do right
- Because: Followed God with his heart, he was committed
- Obadiah - feared God all his life, even hiding God's people during Jezebel's extermination 1Ki 18:3,12
- Started: Feared the Lord
- Ended: Protected prophets
- Because: Feared the Lord
In general
- Everybody's hearts are wicked and evil by default Ge 8:21,Ps 51:5,Isa 53:6
- Tend to be foolish in understanding and in giving counsel Pr 7:7, 2Chr 10:10
However
- They can truly care, as Job, for the unfortunate around them Job 31:18
- Affliction in youth gives great lessons in trusting God Ps 71:5,17, Ps 88:15, Ps 129:1,2
- Can be wonderful examples of Christians 1Ti 4:12
- Can be strong in faith and in the Word of God, overcoming the wicked one 1Jo 2:14
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