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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
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. And the
world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of
God abideth forever.”
This exhortation to young men extends to young women also.
Their youth does not excuse them from the responsibilities resting
upon them. They are strong and are not worn down with cares and the
weight of years; their affections are ardent, and if they withdraw these
from the world and place them upon Christ and heaven, doing the will
of God, they will have a hope of the better life that is enduring, and
they will abide forever, being crowned with glory, honor, immortality,
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eternal life. If the youth live to gratify the lust of the flesh, the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life, they are seeking for the things of the
world, pleasing their great adversary, and separating themselves from
the Father. And when these things that are sought after pass away, their
hopes are blasted and their expectations perish. Separated from God
they will then bitterly repent their folly in serving their own pleasure,
gratifying their own desires, and for a few frivolous enjoyments selling
a life of bliss that they might have enjoyed forever.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” says
the inspired apostle. Then he adds the warning: “If any man love
the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” It is an alarming fact
that the love of the world predominates in the minds of the young.
They decidedly love the world and the things that are in the world,
and for this very reason the love of God finds no room in their hearts.
They find their pleasures in the world and in the things of the world,
and are strangers to the Father and the graces of His Spirit. God is
dishonored by the frivolity and fashion, and empty, vain talking and
laughing that characterize the life of the youth generally. Paul exhorts
the youth to sobriety: “Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine
showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot
be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed,
having no evil thing to say of you.”
I entreat the youth for their souls’ sake to heed the exhortation of
the inspired apostle. All these gracious instructions, warnings, and
reproofs will be either a savor of life unto life or of death unto death.
Many of the young are reckless in their conversation. They choose