Challenge to Teens

US CHRISTIAN TEENS CONFUSED ABOUT HEAVEN A new survey by LifeWay Research indicated that many American teenagers are confused about what it takes to get to heaven. Results showed 53 percent of teens strongly agree with the belief that they will go to heaven because Jesus Christ died for their sins. Another 16 percent somewhat agree. Among those not holding that traditional Christian belief, 27 percent said they trust in their own kindness to others and 26 percent trust in their religiosity as their means to get to heaven. The survey, however, further found that even those who believe in Jesus Christ have confused ideas on how to get to heaven. Out of the 69 percent of teens who at least somewhat agree they will go to heaven through Jesus Christ's death for their sins, 60 percent also said they will go because they are religious, and 60 percent also said they will go because they are kind to others. "Why would teenagers feel the need to add anything to Jesus' work on the cross?" posed Scott Stevens, director of youth ministries at LifeWay.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Leviticus 20:7, Romans 12: 1-2

There is a deffinite move today on the part of churches and para-church youth ministries, who are either caught up in the worlds "MO", (modus operandi) or have forgotten Christs's admonition to "come out from among them".

Somehow we have gotten off track in our music, church activities, mode of dress, consuming (buying wants) , entertainment, and other areas, with the concept that we are to compete with the world's mode of attracting the public, and winning the lost, and making it a part of 21st century church practice.

Is this what God wants?

Is this what God says to do, in seeking the lost, to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?

Is this playing the line between worldliness and Godliness?

Are we compromising and stepping in to, what is the work and plan of the Holy Spirit?

Some would say "Ichabod!" "the glory of the Lord hath departed".

The Old Testament is a treasury of incidents where God told Israel, a prophet, leader or nation, to "separate from" peoples and nations who were given over to worldly pursuits,and destructive lifestyles, who found out the sad consequences by not obeying his admonition.