Youth :
What`s Up?
by Susie Shellenberger
Hopefully, you already know that I consider you as my “little sis.”(That’s
why I often refer to our readers as our “Brio Sisses.”)
And as sisses, we can talk about anything, right? I mean, we can say the tough
stuff to each other, accept the hard-to-hear things and be honest.
So I’m going to step on your toes, OK? I’ll try to be gentle, but
what I’m going to say may hurt.
Girls, my heart breaks over how some of you are settling for casual Christianity
. . . and some of you have even talked yourselves into believing you have a
relationship with Christ when you really don’t.
What Is a Christian?
Some of you think you’re a Christian because of how you felt during a
retreat, camp or missions trip. Hey wait a sec! you may be thinking.
Where’d you come up with that?
From you.
I’ve spoken with many of you.
And I read your e-mails.
I get your letters.
You can talk yourself into believing you have a relationship with Christ just
like you can talk yourself into believing you have a million dollars. But if
it’s not there, it’s not there.
(I need to interrupt myself here. This isn’t meant to plant doubts in
your mind about Christ; it’s to wake you up if you’re really not
a Christian.)
So how can you be sure you’re a Christian?
- Have you asked Christ to forgive your sins and placed your faith in Him?
- Do you have a genuine, growing relationship with Him?
Or are you simply going to church and living a fairly good life? There’s
a big difference! When you experience intimacy with the King of Kings, you’ll
never be the same again.
Go Deep!
Knowing this, why would you want to settle for anything less? Why be content
simply knowing about God when you can actually know Him? More
than just wanting you close to Him, He wants you to become part of Him, to experience
deep intimacy with your Creator.
Part of this growth process means talking with Christ on a regular basis, reading
and studying the Bible and actually believing the Bible is Truth. When I answer
questions in our monthly “Dear Susie” column, I strive to base them
on Scripture. And though the Bible is extremely clear on abstaining from sexual
intimacy outside of marriage, homosexual activity, gossip, cursing and even
how to enter heaven, each time I relate what God has to say about these topics,
I always receive a few angry letters and e-mails disagreeing with what God has
said.
Wake up, Sisses!
God isn’t going to change His ways to accommodate your lifestyle. Sin
is sin. God’s not budging on that. So even though many of your friends
don’t have a relationship with Christ yet are good people and fun to be
with, they won’t be spending eternity in heaven! There’s no way
around this.
The Bible isn’t evolving.
God isn’t pliable like Play-Doh to fit whatever you hope is true. The
Bible tells us that He doesn’t shift like a shadow (James 1:17). In other
words, He’s not changing. Christ is rock-solid. He’s the same yesterday,
today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
So What Is Truth?
There are some basic issues that we simply need to nail down with God so we
don’t have to keep going over them again and again.
Is Jesus really who He claimed to be?
Yes! He truly is the Son of God. The Messiah. The only One who can forgive
your sins and grant you eternal life with Him.
Is sexual intimacy outside of marriage really wrong?
Yes! It really is. And that includes sleeping together (even if you’re
not having sex), heavy petting, showering together, anything that leads to sexual
intimacy between the two of you. These are privileges for marriage and marriage
only.
Is the Bible really true?
Yes! It really is. It was divinely inspired by God. It’s not simply a
collection of people talking about God; it’s God revealed on paper. By
reading and studying it, we grow closer to God himself and understand how to
have a genuine relationship with Him.
Is homosexuality really a sin?
It’s not a sin to be tempted in the area of homosexuality (or any other
area of life). It is a sin to become involved in homosexual activity, but it’s
a sin that can be forgiven! God didn’t create homosexuality, and it breaks
His heart when people deviate from the perfect plan He did create.
Are Christians really the only people going to heaven?
Yes! They really are. Anyone who doesn’t have a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ will be eternally separated from Him. (And I’m not talking
about infants or the mentally handicapped or a starving 5-year-old in Ethiopia.)
The Bible tells us that we all reach an age of accountability or understanding.
Only God can judge what that age is and for whom.
But there’s absolutely no truth in this rumour: “There are several
paths to God. Muslims are on one path; Hindus another, etc. And we’ll
all end up in heaven together.”
How can you argue with, "Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ ” (John
14:6).
What’s so tough to understand about that, Girls?
Yet whenever I print this verse, a few of you will write and tell me how narrow-minded
I am. These aren’t the words of Susie Shellenberger; they’re the
words of Christ! What’s not to believe?
Settle it Now
Girls, once you’ve nailed down some of these basic truths, you won’t
have to keep coming back to the same ground again. You’ll be able to move
on, to actually GROW spiritually!
Don’t settle for casual Christianity; get intimate with Christ.
Don’t talk yourself into thinking you’re a Christian; go ahead
and accept Christ as your Savior.
Don’t keep wondering if God’s Word is true; accept it, digest it
and draw nourishment from it.
Yeah, But . . .
Yeah, but Susie, you make me mad! You make me doubt that I’m a Christian.
Again, if you’ve repented of your sins, accepted Christ’s forgiveness,
have placed your faith in Him, you’re saved! Then get ready to have a
relationship with Him, because that’s the wonderful part about being a
Christian . . . you can actually have a personal relationship with the King
of Kings!
This is way beyond Susie Shellenberger making you mad. This is between you
and God. Do you realize, though, that He uses His Holy Spirit to convict us
of sin? If you’re feeling something’s not right between you and
God, don’t blame me. Talk with your heavenly Father!
Yeah, but I know how I felt when I went on a missions trip. So what if
I’ve never repented of my sins or whatever. I know I’m a Christian
because of how I felt, and you can’t take that away from me.
A relationship with Christ doesn’t have anything to do with feelings;
it’s all about a growing faith. If you’ve never asked Christ to
forgive your sins . . . if you’ve never placed your faith in Him . . .
you’re not a Christian. And that means you won’t spend eternity
in heaven.
Bottom Line
There.
I’m done.
Thanks for letting me step on your toes. I’m glad we’re sisses
and can be gut-level honest with each other. I want to see you in heaven. I
really really really want to spend eternity with you and with Christ!
Wanna Pray?
If you’ve never repented of your sins but want to establish a relationship
with Christ, you can do that right now! You can pray your own prayer, or you
can use this one as a guide.
Dear Jesus: I believe You are the Son of God and that You died to forgive my
sins. I confess that I am a sinner, and I’m so sorry I’ve
done things my own way and have disobeyed You. Will You forgive me? I don’t
want to run my own life anymore. I want You to be in charge.
I believe the Bible is Your Holy Word, and I accept it as Truth. Thank You
for forgiving my sins. I place my faith in You, and I want to live my life for
You.
Help me to read and study my Bible. Bless my relationship with You; help me
to grow stronger spiritually each day. I love You, Jesus. And I’m praying
this prayer in Your name, as I believe You would pray with me if You were here
in the flesh.
Amen.
If you’re a new Christian, you’ll want to get involved in church
and a youth group. Also talk with your pastor about being baptized.
Related resources
| 
