Do you think it is ridiculous when they tell well behaved good Christian teens to repent?

Question

I think it's so moronic when there are a bunch of skeleton closeted, jaded adult Christians who the religion of being "saved" is obviously for, and here they are telling good kids who were brought up in strict Christian homes, never go out, never do anything "sinful' at all and telling them they need to be born again, repent and they "fall short" of the glory, etc. etc.
I have heard kids saying, but I have nothing to repent really,---they have only lived a short time!and they havn't really LIVED, you know.--- to do the numerous wrong, say, their parents or other adults in their church have..... Do they want them to make it up or make a big deal out of minor shortcomings?
Is this just fear mongering on teens, notice how much emphasis they place on sexual immorality.... How about sloth and gluttony? 1 in 5 kids are now overweight or obese.
OUr kids are dying of diabetes and will have shortened life spans due to childhood obesity!!!

Answer 1

The Bible says that all need to repent. The Bible says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Every teen is of the age of accountability. No, some teens have not lived immoral lives; and I am thankful for this. However, even these teens need to repent.
Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). It may shocj you to know who Jesus first said this to. Most of us know that the New Testament records stories of thieves, prostitutes, and even murderers getting born again; but Jesus first spoke what is recorded in John 3:3 to a man named Nicodemus. This man was one of the most religious men of his day. His dedication to his faith would shame most Christians! Nicodemus prayed 2 hours every day; he paid 10% of his earnings to his place of worship; he fasted twice a week. But still Jesus said in essence, "Nick, all the religious deeds you do are not enough. You must be born again!" No matter how "good" a person appears we have all sinned against God in some way. We all need God's forgiveness. This cannot come through religion or good works. It only comes through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Many people have a misconception about God and what is required for us to go to heaven. They think of God as if He held a balance or pair of scales in His hand, weighing our good deeds on one side of the scales and our bad deeds on the other. As long as our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds, we think God will surely reward us with eternal life.

But that is a serious misunderstanding and is wrong. Instead, God's standard is perfection, because He is a holy God who is without sin. That is why the Bible warns, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it" (James 2:10). There is only one conclusion: "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

How then can anyone be saved and have eternal life? Only by God's grace and forgiveness. And God has made this possible because Jesus Christ took our sins and our punishment upon Himself when He died on the cross. He is without sin, but God put all your sins on Him and He willingly died for you because He loves you.

Do not trust your own goodness; you can never be good enough to earn your way to heaven. Instead, turn to Christ for the forgiveness you need, and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. Do not let your pride get in your way, but admit your need to God and trust Christ alone for your salvation. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Answer 2

Yes, it is ridiculous. Most religions are so mind control bent, that they see nothing good in people, just bad. Kids of all times are the same, no matter what the technology of the civilization they live in. Sin is just another way to make people guilty.

Religion should be about the goodness of people and the joy of life, not that everything is bad and getting worse.

That is one of the reasons why I am an atheist.

Answer 3

Dear jane l,

first let me say that i'm not a parent- i'm a 33 yr old man who has worked with youth kids for 15 years.

There are many good kids (especially those who were raised going to church). One thing i always remind my kids- is that as they are learning how to be good kids- parents are learning how to be good parents. One of the biggest needs in the church is for classes on Godly parenting.

The scenario you described i think is quite rare. Truthfully some parents do need to loosen their grip. The truth is as we read biographies (ie: Franklin Graham) even he most Godly upbringing does not ensure anything. Franklin rebelled and eventually came back to God.

Christian parents have a responsibility to raise their kids and just trust the Lord.

i think anyone who has been a Christian for awhile definitely knows how sinful a person can be.

For some parents they show their love by being overprotective. It isn't the best way off course because the world is the world and human nature says when you try to keep me away from it- i'm curious and want to try it. While i don't personally think that is the best way- i guess i understand that many do - conduct themselves in this way out of love. Many parents in the youth group i deal with- are over-protective (out of love).

Hope that helps,

Nickster

Answer 4

There are always actions for which to repent. The minute you lie, have any type of lustful thought, think something unkind about a person, you sin. Therefore, everyone should repent as often as possible. However, I don't think that adults should act as if they don't sin as well. It's all in the approach.

Answer 5

Ya know, EVERY single person in the world, before being saved, is guilty of the original sin of Adam and Eve... IF you read your bible, you already know that. Without confessing that you believe in Jesus as your savior, and accepting Him as such, and being baptized, you will never get into heaven.. Good works won't do it, being a good person won't do it, you have to do the above. Yes, there are quite a few adults who are sinning, even christian adults, but, they've done the above, and, are, quite frequently, aware of their shortcomings, but, they are trying to help you not fall into the traps they did as youth.
It's better to resist temptation, than to have to repent from it, afterwards.. sounds to me like you want to do the things your friends are talking about so you'll have something to repent for.. Take the advice of one who was in the world for 25 years, AFTER being saved, and heed.. it's very hard to come back to Jesus, after that. It's easy to be weakened by satan, and that's exactly what satan wants.. he doesn't care about you.. there won't be parties in hell, there will be only torment, forever and ever, Amen...

Answer 6

Though I don't want to judge anyone with the word ridiculous, it's important to say that we should all pray often, and ask for forgiveness. It is also good to pray for others, those living today and for those who have passed, for example, a friend, grandmother, etc. I think you understand what I mean.

Know this, we all make mistakes, that means everyone. And it is good for us to pray or meditate and it's definitely a good thing, to ask for forgiveness from our 'Creator,' most of us in the U.S. call Him God but if you're from another part of the world, you or your family may use a different word to call Him.

Best wishes,
C

Answer 7

nicely in the initiating, any sister which will be so dense as to carry a stupid grudge should not be wanted in any case. yet when she had to, she ought to objective to open the strains of verbal substitute with a telephone call, letter by technique of gradual mail or some thing of that form. That places the sister contained in the area to be the denier. And if she nevertheless would not settle for the hand that's positioned out in the front of her, then screw her.

Answer 8

It depends on to who and how its said

I think you should only direct a statement like that to a personand appropriately

good Christian teens would have already repented... if they were good Christians

but even so....everyone can use encouragement to more holy living.. and encouragement to live under grace

teens in fact struggle with many difficuult issues no matter where they;re from

Answer 9

They are probably remembering back to when they were teens themselves. Teenage years can be tough spiritually, and they know it. It's the time of your life when you are at your physical peak and are hit with so many temptations. They've been there, and remember all their dumb attitudes and stupid choices. They might be projecting themselves onto you.

Just realize that it's as much fear for you as anything.

Answer 10

we all sin in thought word a dead. I do not beleave for an istant any child has never lied or had sinful thoughts been angree or hated another child all is sin and needs repentance it does not matter how respectable their perants are we each have to accept Yeshu'ah for our selfs God has no grandchildren