God, give us godly men, who will walk in love, faith, and purity. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV). Christianity is a hard way, unless we learn the secret of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:27; Acts 2:38). Young men, who walk in purity cannot achieve it through sheer force of will. Simply attempting to obey the command of sexual purity, will not truly accomplish it, without the Holy Spirit. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). We fail our young men, if we neglect to teach them, The Holy Spirit’s primary function is to inspire us to walk in obedience. We are commanded, “Keep thyself pure” (1Timothy 5:22). But, our good intentions will only prevail unless the Spirit of God gives us the victory. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Faith or confidence that the Holy Spirit inspires us to obey, will cause us to be obedient, and will give us the victory. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4).
In the OT, a godly young person was one who sought God with their whole heart. “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:2, 10). The greater advantage of the New Covenant is the indwelling presence of God’s Spirit, who inspires us to obedience (Ezekiel 36:27).
Why hasn’t the heritage of the righteous always been a smooth path of obedience rather than a battle between righteousness and wickedness?
First, the Almighty is God over everything. “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).
Second, humanity was given stewardship of the earth. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
Third, Satan became the god of this world, when the entire population of the Garden of Eden rejected the Creator. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2Corinthians 4:4).
Fourth, a spiritual battle for the cosmos has resulted, where God’s servants preach obedience to the Gospel to the ends of the earth. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Fifth, love of God must overcome love of the world. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1John 2:15-16).
Sixth, spiritual warfare requires a type of John Bunyan Pilgrim’s Progress, Holy War, where both men and women of God put on the Whole Armor of God until the KING of Kings and LORD of Lord’s returns to rule over the earth. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18).
Seventh, a restricted understanding of our warfare limits our efforts and success. “And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all” (1Corinthians 15:28).
In summary, our young men will see victory in their purity, when they cooperate with the Holy Spirit to inspire them to obedience. Fathers and husbands will not only defend their families, but will lead their churches in a Spiritual War against the darkness of the world to the knowledge of Christ.
Father, raise up men of God to lead Your people. Give us godly, courageous leaders. Educate them. Fortify them. Protect them. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 