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“ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you still do not know me, Philip? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father’” (John 14:9).
Dear youth,
Having worked with young people for many years and considering myself part of that group, I've noticed some worrying trends lately regarding their understanding of God and their appreciation of the church and fellowship. I still vividly remember the comments of some local pastors from our area who said, "Just wait, in five or ten years you'll be like us; we used to be like you." But thank God, the Lord has helped us to remain faithful to His Gospel so far.
In this text, I would like to discuss why it is worthwhile to hold fast to the Gospel and not follow every wind of another doctrine. However, I want to emphasize that the goal is not to judge or condemn other Christian groups, but rather to focus on the behavior of young people regarding the aforementioned issues.
A memorable experience
In 2012, CDH Stephanus organized a mission trip to Bulgaria to distribute aid packages to the poor and needy at Christmas. During this trip, we encountered various small Christian groups who met in house churches to celebrate worship services. This led to close cooperation between CDH Stephanus and some Christians in Bulgaria. Several characteristics immediately struck us. We mostly met older men and women, as well as some children. Several of these Christians visited our churches in Germany and also noticed certain differences. They saw churches with firmly established Christian structures, large families, and, above all, many active young people.
During a conversation with some Bulgarian brothers and sisters, they told us that before the Iron Curtain fell, they too had such robust and strong congregations. However, when freedom arrived, many liberal preachers flocked to the country and were welcomed with open arms. These preachers then began to proclaim a so-called "free gospel." The consequences of this watered-down gospel became apparent:
- The washing of feet during the Eucharist was gradually called into question.
- Membership in the community was abolished.
- Community discipline practically no longer exists.
- There are many divorces in the communities.
- These families, in turn, usually have only a few children.
- The outward appearance of many Christians is indistinguishable from that of the world.
- There are hardly any young people in the community.
- Women's ordination.
A pastor from a church in Bulgaria told us about a dream he had: He dreamt that he was standing at the pulpit in his church, leading the service. Suddenly, the church youth stood up and left the room to go outside. The pastor followed them and watched as the youth began to tear down the fences that protected the church building and piled them up in a heap.
When he asked them why they were doing this, they said, "We don't need borders." He replied that there was a door anyone could use. But the youths continued what they were doing. Then he saw them setting fire to the fences to burn them down. Next, the youths began throwing each other into the fire and jumping in themselves.
These observations and accounts prompted me to reflect on our congregations and youth. We are constantly confronted with the "Why is that...?" question in many different ways. It is, of course, perfectly fine to ask questions when they are sincere and an answer is expected. However, it is striking how often questions are asked even though the person already has a ready answer, one that doesn't always align with the biblical understanding of faith within our brotherhood. The reason for this is often that the person has been "fishing in murky waters" and already has a preconceived notion.
Reasons that lead to differences
1. Internet
Today, thanks to YouTube and similar platforms, there is a vast array of sermons and lessons available to listen to or watch. If the speaker is a gifted and inspiring personality who knows how to entertain and captivate people, all reservations and cautions are quickly thrown overboard. The belief grows, almost secretly, that things would run much better in one's own church if this person were the pastor. All too often, it is forgotten to examine whether the full gospel is being proclaimed, or whether something is being omitted or added (cf. Revelation 22:18-19).
Too often we forget to check whether the full gospel is being proclaimed, or whether something is being omitted or added.
2. Environment
Through contact with colleagues or classmates, young people become acquainted with other Christian groups and are often invited to church services. There, they frequently experience a warm and loving welcome. They are often encouraged to attend more often and participate actively. "We all serve the same God," they are told. Here, too, it is often overlooked whether the full Gospel is being lived out or not. The problem for many Christian groups is the lack of growth among young people. Bible-believing Christians, on the other hand, who accept all children as a gift from God (cf. Psalm 127:3), are richly blessed with young people. Therefore, it is perfectly understandable that they try to win over young people.
3. Personal relationship with God
One of the most significant factors that can lead to differences with the church is one's personal relationship with God. Here's a brief example: A young brother had a sinful inclination that was incompatible with the gospel. For a long time, he struggled against it, knowing that it separated him from God. After some time, however, he began to tolerate the sin and stopped fighting against it. Some time passed, and he began to accept and even condone the sin.
The Psalms point out how to walk the path blamelessly: by adhering to God's Word (cf. Ps 119:9). However, if dependence on, or at least tolerance of, sin prevails in the hearts of young people, it inevitably breeds a bitter root that leads to their spiritual death unless they turn back to our Lord Jesus to be renewed (cf. Jas 1:13-15).
Furthermore, sin leads the young person into a state of pride and rebellion. And it is precisely in this state that drinking from various sources becomes very dangerous.
Furthermore, sin leads the young person into a state of pride (cf. Prov 16:18) and rebellion. And it is precisely in this state that it becomes very dangerous to drink from various sources. When sin is suddenly condoned and the conscience slowly burns, curious spiritual states arise. On the one hand, the young person believes they are experiencing God, but on the other hand, they rebel against everything that represents authority in the church and family.
This phenomenon can be observed time and again, especially among young people who rave about other Christian groups but have only negative things to say about their own church.
4. The generational problem
Another reason is the generation gap. Some young people can't understand how the older generation serves God. They're often said to cling to Russian traditions, to be unloving and strict. They supposedly refuse to compromise and want everything to stay the same. Some young people repeatedly express a desire to change things, to break free from old patterns.
The younger generation often forgets that it is precisely this uncompromising stance towards the world that has preserved the church until now. This attitude, in turn, harbors enormous potential for tension. It is striking that the older members of the church and family place great importance on each other. Their highest priority is a devoted, holy life. They would rather forgo something than risk turning away from God.
This fundamental attitude is often lacking among young people. The spirit of the age praises activism – the desire to make a difference, to try new things. All too often, the admonishing words from the First Epistle of Peter are forgotten: “Likewise, you who are younger, submit yourselves to the elders, all of you, as humbly as you do to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5).
I have only listed some striking problems among young people to show that changes are becoming visible in parts of our youth that could lead to major misunderstandings and conflicts in the future.
Consequences of the unresolved differences
It always saddens me to observe how some young people, without regard for the consequences of their actions, begin to experiment within the youth group. Youth services suddenly take on a completely different character; everything has to become more relaxed. Does the principle of leading young people to the cross in humility and fear of God, to dedicate their lives to Jesus in deep repentance, and to serve God in this consecrated state, fully in the spirit of the Holy Spirit, truly prevail?
It is noticeable that the priority is shifting away from a holy life and towards a faith attitude in which the literal gospel is no longer the central focus, but rather the urge to become modern and contemporary. The main thing, it then seems, is that we proclaim Jesus.
Youth groups that openly preach about sin and urge young people to fight against it are in danger of being replaced by a message that emphasizes entirely different priorities, which I won't elaborate on here. It's clear that when sanctification loses its highest priority, a distorted image of God inevitably follows (cf. Proverbs 1:7). This, in turn, leads young people down a very slippery and dangerous path, as the entire Bible is suddenly viewed and judged from a completely different perspective.
The level of religious devotion is declining, and the natural consequence is that the focus of worship is increasingly shifting towards outward appearances. Inner worship—by which I mean my personal relationship with God—gradually loses its significance. This, of course, is not acknowledged, as the perception of God is already distorted.
The concept of God is like the church service.
"A correct conception of God is not only the basis for systematic theology, but also for practical religious life. It is the foundation of worship." (AW Tozer)
"A correct conception of God is not only the basis for systematic theology, but also for practical faith. It is the foundation of worship." (AW Tozer)
If we want to understand the origins of the ever-increasing liberalism and, consequently, the low conception of God, we must inevitably examine the history of Christianity. In postwar Germany, massive revival services took place. Many people flocked to the churches and converted to the Lord. Listening to the sermons of preachers from this period, including Dmitri Bespalov, Wilhelm Busch, and others, one can practically feel the reverence these men felt when they spoke about God.
Then came the era of 1968. Germany experienced its economic miracle, and people's lives gradually improved. People slowly recovered from the horrors of war. A new generation grew up, one that disagreed with the lifestyle of the older generation. They felt compelled to break free from the rigid rules of society. Music groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, with their rebellious music and lifestyle, inspired the younger generation to rise up against the older generation and live self-determined lives, which they did. The 1968 generation gave rise to the cultural revolution, which resulted in everything conservative and based on Christian values being denounced and questioned.
Unfortunately, this rebellious spirit also found its way into the churches, resulting in Christians also being influenced by the Cultural Revolution. Issues such as women's ordination, family planning, secularization, lack of church discipline, and a departure from a life of holiness, even to the point of activism, led many congregations to a point where there is now hardly any difference between the world and the church.
The growth of many churches has stagnated. Attempts are made to make worship services more appealing to young people by constantly organizing new events and activities. However, these often only have a placebo effect because the focus of the message is not on Jesus, but on the tools and systems used to draw people to the events.
This downward spiral began when people, seduced by various so-called Christian preachers, developed a different conception of God, which inevitably led them to adapt their lifestyle to this base conception. In the long run, no one can conceal their true beliefs about God. We see the results of this all too clearly in the Western Christian world today.
Love the brotherhood
“Do not move the ancient boundary that your fathers made” (Prov 22:28).
It is always fascinating to listen to the older brothers recount how God led and shaped them in a special way in the former Soviet Union. What young person doesn't know these stories, which repeatedly tell of how truly God led and guided His church during the persecution of Christians? Many men of God went into exile because of their faith. After their release, they continued to serve God in the church steadfastly.
These men of God, tested by their experiences in prison, had a clear understanding of God and were careful to share it with the congregation. Upon arriving in Germany, our brotherhood spread rapidly. Many congregations grew thanks to large families and people who turned to the Lord from the world. More and more areas of ministry opened up, creating opportunities to bear even more fruit in the Lord's field. However, these opportunities also brought challenges regarding Christian ethics and culture, which are naturally connected to our understanding of God.
The current situation is that many congregations have a strong youth group that makes a significant contribution to the blessing and edification of the community. The youth are very active in many projects within the congregations and also within the CDH-Stephanus. They are also present at events organized at the fraternity level and experience much blessing and strengthening through the encouragement of the elders and bishops, and for this, all the glory belongs to God alone.
Dear youth, love the brotherhood and listen to your leaders!
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith!” (Hebrews 13:7).
When our Bishop Brother Hugo Janzen fell ill and it became clear that he did not have long to live, some brothers visited him to offer him comfort. They found Brother Hugo still fully engaged in his ministry and striving to help others. One brother asked him what he wished for from the youth in the future. His answer was threefold: obedience, obedience, obedience.
Your concept of God is crucial.
It was not without reason that Jesus asked His disciple Philip, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?” (John 14:9). This disciple witnessed the work of the Lord Jesus and was even allowed to participate in His miracles. And yet, he had not understood everything. Jesus had to correct his understanding of God.
In the Psalms we read: “You did this, and I kept silent; you thought I was like you. But I will rebuke you and set you straight” (Psalm 50:21). The Lord accuses the godless person of acting lawlessly and believing that God is on their side. This person knew God's commandments but refused to live by them. Outwardly, everything seemed fine. But God's judgment was devastating: I will hold you accountable.
Yes, God knows even our deepest thoughts and feelings. If we accept sin in our lives and offer every conceivable excuse for it, we must know that our understanding of God diminishes and we are in danger of worshipping not God, but an idol. God is unchanging and can never be personalized. To misconstrue God is a profound insult to our Lord (cf. Romans 1:21) and carries the risk of turning away from God, believing that God is with us.
“As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, ‘Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one deceives you!’” (Matthew 24:3-4).
Our Lord began His end-times discourse with a warning not to be led astray, and for good reason. Faith in God remains, but the concept of God is being manipulated and no longer does justice to the Bible. Today, there are many theologians who claim that the Bible is not the Word of God, but merely contains the Word of God. In doing so, they open the door to many deceptions and false teachings.
We are indeed in a very complicated situation. Young people are bombarded from many sides with all sorts of theological interpretations of how and how not to live. And it is precisely in this situation that it is important to immerse oneself in the Word of God, to pray, and above all, to be vigilant. The Lord Jesus repeatedly says, "Watch and pray" (cf. Mt 26:41; Mk 13:33; Mk 14:38), and our understanding of God depends crucially on these factors.
But we also see the special work of the Holy Spirit in young people. Many young people experience God's work through the gifts of the Spirit so tangibly in prayer meetings that they say it could only have been God's work, and this strengthens and reinforces their faith. One sister summed it up perfectly when she said, "Here I experienced God, and that's why I never want to leave the church."
The correct conception of God always leads us to sanctification and deep humility before our living God.
I myself have witnessed many spiritual experiences that led young brothers and sisters to change their understanding of God because the Holy Spirit convicted them and revealed the sins in their lives. The correct understanding of God always leads us to sanctification and deep humility before our living God. The biblical understanding of God inevitably leads us into dependence on God, which results in our ego becoming ever smaller and the Lord truly and almightily being at the center of our lives.
God bless you!
Walter Gesswein
Municipality of Speyer