Read This First
The name of Jesus has today become a part of the witnessing
vocabulary of many thousands of young and old alike. The second
coming of Christ, being born again, what Jesus means to us here
and now, have become topics for everyday conversation. Songs of
religious experience are competing with those about romance. Revival
has happened before, and has accomplished startling results. But today,
as never before, it’s happening among youth
.
On many college and university campuses—even those not partic-
ularly noted for religious connections—the name of Jesus is openly
discussed in a new, positive way. Youth from comfortable homes, from
the poor, the drug scene, from the well educated, have been moved to
accept Christ in large numbers. Thousands have sensed the miraculous
experience of being converted. And Seventh-day Adventist youth are
experiencing revival too. But now what? Where do we go from here?
Being born again, justified, converted—whatever we choose to call
it—is the beginning. But what about the days and weeks and months
of growing up into Christ? What about that lifetime experience we
sometimes call sanctification?
The word of God and the counsels of Ellen White lead us to the
conclusion that we are justified by faith and accepting Christ, but we
are sanctified by faith and obedience. The truly born-again Christian
not only talks about, but lives a life that testifies that he is, in fact, a
follower of the Lord Jesus Christ
.
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The way to eternal life is not easy. After all, it is called “strait”
in the Bible. We battle enemies outside ourselves as well as sinful
tendencies and weaknesses within. There are plenty of detours too.
And of course there is always the broad way, with its lurid appeal.
Counterfeits are introduced by Satan to confuse and discourage us.
But, thank God, there are clear directions to show us the way to life
eternal
.
The following questions are typical of those being asked today.
How can we explain the power attending popular revival movements
v