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12th August 2010 by Julia Hosking

The United Nations proclaimed an International Year of Youth commencing 12 August 2010. The purpose is to empower youth, promote understanding across generations, and encourage youth to make a change in the world.

In light of this, I've taken hold of a verse in 1 Timothy that will hopefully encourage you to live out this year (and beyond) as positive examples for Christ: promoting Jesus' love, values and dreams for his children.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).

Set an example in speech

The tongue is a powerful weapon. If desired, it can easily wound others. It can also curse, deceive, gossip and lie.

But that's not why God created the tongue. It was designed to enable us to speak words of encouragement, love, hope and praise. It is with our tongue that we confess Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

Can you believe that the same tool on your body can praise God with shouts of hallelujah, but then spit out a curse word (James 3:9-10)? Your tongue can tell your mum you love her, and then gossip about an acquaintance a second later.

You are positioned in a place where you can positively influence people through your words. Even if you feel powerless in every other way, your positive and Christ-like example can speak volumes to your parents, teachers and friends.

* If you're struggling to limit your words to good words, Jesus tells you to examine your heart (Matthew 12:34-35).

Set an example in life

In short: if you talk the talk, then walk the walk. Demonstrate the Christian truth through your actions. Live a life that emulates Christ.

Paul was so confident that his life genuinely imitated Christ, he wrote "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

If your friend doesn't personally know Jesus (who is unseen), then it's much easier for them to emulate someone they can see (you). Therefore, become like Paul – be a strong and firm example of Christ for others.

Set an example in love

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind ... Love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:37, 39).

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Live that life of love.

Set an example in faith

Read Hebrews 11, "the faith chapter", and be inspired.

Trust God with your life; step out in faith when he calls you to do so.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

Relying on God and trusting in him makes life less stressful, and as Jesus bluntly put it: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27).

Set an example in purity

Purity is often thought to go hand-in-hand with sexual abstinence. And while that's true, purity also refers to thoughts, words, and deeds – all stemming from a pure heart.

King David asked God to blot out his sins and give him a pure heart (Psalm 51:9-11). And Jesus promises in the Beatitudes that those with pure hearts will see God (Matthew 5:7-9).

Here, a pure heart refers to repentance, forgiveness and cleansing of our sin. This is only possible when we humble ourselves before God and accept his forgiveness offered by the blood of Jesus.

Set an example to others by repenting of your sins, and – with the Holy Spirit as your guide – living a pure and clean life.

Set an example in prayer

Okay so Paul didn't tell Timothy about that one in this verse, but I want you to do it anyway. Pray for your generation. (If you're a leader reading this, pray for the current generation of youth.)

Think about your family, your friendship group, your school, church, suburb, state and country – and ask God how you through his power can make an impact. Then dream about millions of young people taking hold of the power of Jesus and transforming everyone everywhere.

By Julia Hosking

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