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A person is truly wise when he recognizes that, no matter how much human knowledge he gains, God's counsel remains invaluable.
When it comes to preparing for the future of the youth, most parents do acknowledge that a good education is one of the keys that will unlock the doors to a bright future for their children. As such, many parents make sacrifices, doing their best, to send their children to school and to provide them a good education.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) supports these aspirations. Through Bible-based lessons that are taught during congregational worship services, as well as activities under different Christian Family Organizations (CFO), the Church Administration emphasizes the value of education. It even organized the Christian Brotherhood International (CBI), the student organization of Church members, so as to continue providing them proper guidance, even on campus.
In light of the forbidding forecast, as well as the efforts of many parents and of the leadership of the Church, it is only proper for the Church’s youth to value and take all opportunities to learn. As the Bible teaches, it is the duty of God’s servants to get wisdom:
“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Prov. 4:7 New King James Version)
Thus, when young members of the Church Of Christ study diligently, they are fulfilling God’s will. On the other hand, a good thing is being wasted and its benefit being thrown away when a young person disregards his opportunity to get an education by not studying well and by spending his time and energy on vices and sinful pleasures:
“Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.” (Eccles. 7:11 New International Version)
The Bible also teaches that as money is a defense to those who have it, so is wisdom to the wise. Not only that—wisdom is strength (Eccles. 7:12, 19). However, when it is used improperly, wisdom can become evil:
“The Lord says, ‘The wise should not boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their wealth. If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me, because my love is constant, and I do what is just and right. These are the things that please me. I, the Lord, have spoken’.” (Jer. 9:23–24 Good News Bible)
If one uses one’s wisdom, strength, and wealth to boast before God, then these become evil in His sight. Hence, the more knowledgeable a young member of the Church becomes, the more humble he should be. That’s why parents are enjoined to remind their children to be careful so as not to become arrogant or proud to the point of boasting even before God Himself. Arrogance before God is in itself a terrible offense, but far more grievous than that is the sin committed by one who regards himself as though he were God:
“You felt sure of yourself in your evil; you thought that no one could see you. Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray, and you said to yourself, ‘I am God—there is no one else like me’.” (Isa. 47:10 gnb)
There are people who commit such blasphemy because their own intelligence has led them astray. This shows that wisdom, when either misused or abused, can mislead man. Hence, if, while studying various fields of knowledge that are being taught in school, one encounters anything contrary to the teachings he has received from God, he should not accept it. One should guard himself vigilantly because there are times when he may not be aware that he is already being misled. A person has been misled by human knowledge if he is under the impression that he no longer needs the counsel of God that is being taught during worship services, thinking that he is intelligent and knows much already.
Thus, the youth, especially if they have studied well and learned so many things, are reminded that they should not forget the law of God but always keep it in their hearts. They are to trust in the Lord and not to lean on their own understanding (Prov. 3:1, 5-6).
Whatever amount of knowledge we gain in this world, it will still not be enough for us to make our lives better on our own. God is the One Whom we should acknowledge above all in our life. Let us not lose our trust and hope in Him no matter how great the know-how we have acquired from this world is. Also, human wisdom should not be used as the basis of one’s confidence in and service of God. The basis of man’s faith in God should be the power of God. Serving God should be based also on His words in the Bible (I Cor. 2:4–5).
This should be followed by the youth of the Church as this has to do with their hope of having a bright future and receiving salvation. As true Christians in these last days, the young members of the Church should be strong, like the youth during the time of the apostles:
“I write to you, my children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong; the word of God lives in you, and you have defeated the Evil One.” (I John 2:14 gnb)
The youth during the time of the apostles were strong because the word of God lived in them and so, they defeated evil. Hence, as it is important for young members of the Church today to get the knowledge that is useful for life here in this world, more important than that is that they continue to receive God’s words—the greatest wisdom we can ever get. It is very important that God’s words live in us because they strengthen us and help us overcome all evil.
The words of God teach the youth of the Church to flee the evil desires of youth. Instead of following the immoral impulses of the youth of this world, young members of the Church are told to, “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, [and] peace.” As such, young Church members are taught that they should go along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (II Tim. 2:22).
Therefore, children should have as their friends and companions people who are righteous and are actively serving God, not those who are ignorant of God’s will and commit sinful deeds. This becomes even more important when it comes to choosing one’s life-long partner.
Thus, the youth who are planning to get married and to start their own family are commanded not to be yoked together with unbelievers (II Cor. 6:14). This being “yoked together” refers to marriage:
“Do not unite in marriage with unbelievers, for what fellowship has righteousness with iniquity? Or what mingling has light with darkness?” (II Cor. 6:14 Lamsa Translation)
Therefore, a young member of the Church should not even be romantically involved with an unbeliever. If a young man or woman who is a member of the Church wishes to get married, he or she should follow God’s teaching concerning the right person to marry so that he or she will not be separated from God. Let us obey His words that are being taught to us. One such commandment that the youth should obey from their childhood is to obey and honor their parents:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth’.” (Eph. 6:1–3 nkjv)
This, the Scriptures say, is the first commandment with a promise. Those who obey this rule will live long and everything will be well with them because this is well-pleasing to the Lord:
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” (Col. 3:20 nkjv)
God will bless the youth who obey and respect their parents because what they are doing is pleasing to the Lord. Thus, may no one in the Church disrespect his or her parents. May none be like others in this world who show no respect to their parents who are working hard to provide for them and to give them proper education, just because they have already grown up and learned many things. They disobey their parents’ counsel even if these are in keeping with God’s commands.
Such youths may have acquired human knowledge, but they have not learned the wisdom that comes from the words of God. God is not pleased with such people. What children ought to do that is truly pleasing to God is to pay back the kindness that their parents have shown to them:
“If a woman whose husband has died has children or grandchildren, they are the ones to care for her. In that way, they can pay back to their parents the kindness that has been shown to them. God is pleased when this is done.” (I Tim. 5:4 New Life Version)
Sons and daughters should never forget their parents’ efforts and sacrifices—children should repay their parents in the Lord with great love and respect so that God will be pleased with them.
God wants to bless all of us, His servants. He wants to grant His young servants a bright future; hence, He gives us these teachings that, if we obey, will serve as the key to success not only in this present life but also in the life that is to come. As a result, we will be certain of our salvation on Judgment Day.
