By The direct address of the title “Young people, do more!” is either a strong exhortation, or it requires the removal of the comma to make it an observation that compliments the youth as those who can certainly do more.
Whether you sense it as an exhortation or a compliment is up to you in many ways. Either way, put Biblical arrows on the “do more”. “Young people, do more!” may never be let loose by mere youthfulness but needs always to be tempered by godliness.
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Young people, do more! Be more! Be an example, not of mere strength and vitality, nor of laziness and selfishness, certainly not of violence and greed, but be an example to other Christians! Let the godliest of men and women around you see in you an example worth following.
How can that possibly be done? Well, you are going to have to do more! Much more! More than the world, more than your peers, more than you’ve been doing! But by way of practical advice, start with these five areas in 1 Timothy 4:12.
- Do more in being an example of how to speak. Speak clearly, truthfully, and gently. Be an example of a man or woman who can speak up and speak well.
- Do more in being an example of how to behave. Act at all times with self-control. Know what desires prompt ungodly behaviour and reform those desires. Know what personal traits alienate or irritate others and what virtues you want as the defining virtues of your personality and character by the time that you are an adult.
- Do more in being an example of how to love. Be kind. Be helpful. Don’t forge ahead in your own aspirations without considering the effect it has on others. Volunteer and serve and do so without needing reminders, check-up, and follow-ups. Show up too early for church simply to make the service of others lighter. Be patient and considerate. Don’t become bitter, but forgive lavishly.
- Do more in being an example of how to believe. Define your spiritual convictions—both what you will believe and what spiritual disciplines you will practise. Read and pray purposefully every day. Be able to articulate the Gospel message clearly. Start reading Systematic Theology books. Turn frivolous earthly chitchat into spiritual conversations and one-another encouragement.
- Do more in being an example of how to be holy. Know what is right and what is wrong, what is wise and what is foolish. Don’t merely aim to be law-abiding in some minimalist way, but be ethical, holy, and godly too. Be morally pure and upright. Admit when you are wrong. Watch the influences of your peers on you. Influence others for holiness.
These five categories from 1 Timothy 4:12 are the places to begin in doing much more as a young person. For the particulars under each category, start reading through the book of Proverbs, and mark the verses that fall under each category (TIP, “faith/believe” is termed “the fear of the Lord” in Proverbs).
Young man, young woman, do more!