Consider the “burdens” society places on certain groups of people.  Such as women being defined and limited to physical beauty, or athletes replacing parents as role models, etc. But the Church can be just as guilty, by placing insurmountable burdens of being “righteous” (especially on young people), as more important than loving Jesus, in a real relationship from the heart…(Romans 6:17)

In defense of the youth in churches all over, most of them, are influenced by the society around them.  Not because their family life is in shambles, but that is where they are challenged to be accepted.  So unlike adults, who may look for acceptance elsewhere, like among other church people.  Young people are not generally caring about being “righteous”, because that is not prevalent as much in “their world”. So they don’t feel as “pressured” like we may feel as adult Christians to be godly, which can be good and bad…

That is not to say we don’t teach and disciple our children to live a moral upright life that honors God.  But the clear example from Paul in this passage, is that to be given “laws” or rules as the standard of righteousness without Jesus Christ, will discourage them more!  Because laws and rules are not relational, and absent of Christ love, forgiveness, compassion, and power from the Spirit to fulfill the law! (Matthew 5:17)

There is not a genuine Christian alive, who was converted by the strict holiness rules of God alone, but instead were converted by the goodness of God (Romans 2:4)!  Jesus embodies the holiness, without the dead rigid coldness to perform something that even the apostle Paul couldn’t do! (Matthew 23:4-5)

The quickest way to cover a person in condemnation and shame, especially for young people who confess belief, is to judge them harshly because they keep failing.  Maybe not realizing, that they may have “a desire to do what is right”, but are struggling to do right, like Paul (and us!)  Surely if we are true believers, we know that struggle all too well, and it should provoke us to be merciful and relatable, not more rigid…(Luke 6:36)

In His Love, Ld