One of the most adult days in a young person’s life is their cap-and-gown day. High school graduation begins the rest of a young person’s life. They may be unsure of their future -- job, marriage, college. They must move on into the adult world of responsibility.
It’s an exciting time in their lives. Unfortunately, this is also the time when many young men and women choose to move forward, and away from the Lord. They graduate from God!
Parents are no longer nearby to help them know that it’s time for church. They sleep in on Sundays. Peer pressure may even cause them to lie to their parents about what they’re doing.
God placed Adam and Eve into the most perfect place which had ever existed: the Garden of Eden. He wanted them to enjoy life in the home that He had created for them.
He wanted to be their loving Father. One day they fell into a trap made by the “father of lies” -- the devil. It led them to lie to God (see Genesis 1-3).
Jesus speaks of this serpent, saying, “He was a murderer from the beginning...for he is a liar and the father of lies” ( John 8:44). Adam and Eve began to die that day. The Devil had seduced, confused, and twisted God’s words to bring down His creation. He is still doing it.
Young people are not yet mature to face some of the challenges of life. They are still developing. The apostle John wrote, “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
¨For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away...but the one who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17). Adam and Eve failed, choosing the world over God.
One brave father said to his son as he and his friends were leaving in a car for an evening of fun, “Remember son, Jesus will be with you tonight.” Coming home, the son thanked his father. “I didn’t join with them in doing wrong, Dad.”
Parents, please let your children know that you love them. Tell them! Remind them that Jesus is with them wherever they may be. Don’t allow your child to graduate from God!