I talked to the young people of our church last night. I told them that if they seek the Lord until they strike fire they will be hooked on prayer for life. Walking with the Lord is not a religious duty that only the most dedicated can endure. It is a joy that far, far outstrips drugs, alcohol, sex, material wealth, success in business, marriage, or anything else available to the American young person.

It is not a case of suppressing all of our desires and performing our religious duty. It actually is more joyful to seek the Lord than to live in the tumultuous, chaotic, destructive passions of the flesh and soul.

And during the times it is not joyful to walk in the discipline of Christ, we have the certain knowledge that our life is significant and that it is going toward a worthwhile objective. Also the fear of death is removed. It really is the only life worth living in spite of Satan's attractions.

Satan does not have much to offer the young, only remorse and disease, and who wants these? But Jesus offers life, love, joy, and purpose. Yet the youngster has to make up his or her mind to go the way of the Lord. It is a race, a fight all the way.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7—NIV)

God spoke to Noah. Noah did not set out to "do great things for God." Much of what is called faith today is actually presumption—a challenge to God to do thus and so. There is no trace of presumption in the faith of those listed in Hebrews, Eleven. But there is holy fear. And there is obedience.

Those who have faith in God and obey Him always condemn the world. The sinners of America seek to persuade others to emulate them, attempting to show that their "alternative lifestyle," while it may appear disgusting, is acceptable and desirable.

It also has become fashionable in America to scorn those who practice and preach righteous behavior. This is taking place in the government as I am writing (1998). The idea is that those who advocate righteousness are really hypocrites and if we investigate them thoroughly enough we will find they also are living in sin.

The truth is there have been and yet are genuine Christians in America. They are not perfect. They make mistakes. Sometimes they yield to sin. When they do they repent, make things right, and continue the struggle against sin. These are not hypocrites. They are those whom God considers righteous.

There are a lot more such people than the wicked would have us believe.

Noah was not perfect according to our standards today, but God called him righteous. Righteousness is not an arbitrary standard, it is the Divine decision to be pleased with an individual's attitude and behavior regardless of what covenant he or she is under.

To be continued.