Another important challenge young people face today is obeying the Gospel of Christ. There are young people within the Lord’s church who have still not given their lives to Christ. Their parents are already Christians, and possibly some of their siblings and friends are Christians as well, but they have not yet made the personal decision to obey the Gospel.

This is a very serious challenge because we are dealing with a matter of eternal life. We are talking about our relationship with God, the forgiveness of our sins, and where we will spend eternity.

Salvation Must Be a Personal Decision

Young person, you must understand that the fact that your parents are Christians does not automatically mean that you are a Christian. Nor does growing up attending the services of the church mean that you have already obeyed the Gospel. Every person must make his or her own decision before God.

Ezekiel 18:20 teaches this principle:

“The soul who sins shall die…”

God holds each person responsible for his or her own decisions.

Joshua also presented this personal responsibility when he said:

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Josh. 24:15).

Your father cannot obey the Gospel for you.

Your mother cannot obey the Gospel for you.

Your siblings cannot obey the Gospel for you.

Your friends cannot obey the Gospel for you.

You must make that decision.

We Must Not Take Salvation Lightly

It is sad to observe that some young people consider obeying the Gospel something that can wait. Some think:

“I am still young.”

“I will obey later.”

“First I want to enjoy my youth.”

“I still have many years ahead of me.”

But no one is guaranteed tomorrow.

James 4:14 reminds us:

“…whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

Proverbs 27:1 says:

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

Young person, your physical life is not guaranteed. You do not know how long God will allow you to live. For this reason, we must not play with our souls or postpone such an important decision.

The question should not be:

“When do I want to obey?”

The question should be:

“What must I do to be right with God?”

The Gospel Is God’s Power to Save

Paul wrote:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Rom. 1:16).

The Gospel is not simply religious information. It is the message God has chosen to bring us to salvation through Christ.

Therefore, Jesus commanded:

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:15–16).

The Gospel must be heard, believed, and obeyed.

Paul taught that God will bring:

“…taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8).

This demonstrates the seriousness of the matter. Failing to obey the Gospel is not an insignificant decision.

What Does It Mean to Obey the Gospel?

The Gospel is the good news concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1–4). A person must respond to this message with faith and obedience.

Jesus said:

“…if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

A person must hear the Word of God, because:

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

He must believe in Christ (John 8:24), repent of his sins (Acts 2:38), confess his faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9–10), be baptized for the forgiveness of his sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Mark 16:16), and live faithfully in Christ (1 Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10).

Biblical baptism is not an outward act or a family tradition. It is part of the obedient response to the Gospel.

Peter said:

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38).

Ananias told Saul:

“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Obeying the Gospel Produces Great Blessings

When a person obeys the Gospel of Christ, he enters into a special relationship with God and enjoys great spiritual blessings.

1. Forgiveness of sins — Ephesians 1:7

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

2. Reconciliation with God — Ephesians 2:13–16

Through Christ, we can be reconciled to God and have peace with Him.

3. A new life in Christ — Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Baptism represents our death to sin and our resurrection to a new life.

4. Sanctification — Romans 6:22

We can now live a life set apart for God, producing fruit that leads to sanctification.

5. Justification — Romans 5:1–2

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

6. The hope of eternal life — 1 John 5:11

“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”

7. The opportunity to demonstrate our love for Christ — John 14:15

Jesus said:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

True obedience comes from a heart that loves Christ.

Young Person, Do Not Postpone Your Decision

Perhaps you are still thinking:

“Someday I will do it.”

But who guarantees that you will have that “someday”?

Perhaps your parents have spoken to you many times about salvation. Perhaps you have heard numerous sermons about God’s plan to save man.

Now the decision is in your hands.

God has given you the opportunity to hear His Word. He has given you the ability to understand it. He has given you the freedom to make a decision.

What will you do with that opportunity?

Hebrews 2:3 asks:

“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

Salvation is not something we should treat with indifference.

Young person, obeying the Gospel of Christ is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Do not do it simply because your parents are Christians. Do not do it only because your friends have done so. Do it because you love God, recognize your need for salvation, and desire to obey Christ.

Do not allow peer pressure, the desire to enjoy the world, fear, or indifference to keep you from obeying the Lord.

Remember the words of Jesus:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6:33).

And remember also:

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

Young person, do not postpone what you need to do today.

Hear the Gospel.

Believe in Christ.

Repent of your sins.

Confess your faith in Christ.

Obey the Lord in baptism.

Begin a new life of faithfulness to God.

Your youth is a beautiful gift from God. Use it to serve Him and honor Him.

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth…” (Eccl. 12:1).

The best decision a young person can make is to give his or her life to Christ and remain faithful to Him until the end.