In Ryle’s third section which holds General Counsels to Young Men, Ryle exhorts his readers to remember it is possible to be a young man and yet to serve God.

Ryle challenges his readers to focus on serving God at a young age. Ryle sees that the world wants to give young people a pass. But, he answers this by asking, “Where will you find anything of all this in the word of God? Where is the chapter or verse in the Bible, which will support this talking and reasoning of the world?”

He allows for the difficulties the young face but sees this as no excuse to disobey God. He encourages the reader with examples from Scripture of the young people God used who served Him despite the pull of the world’s influence on them.

Ryle says, “Young men, try to serve God.” What a simple exhortation for all of us. How active are we in our sanctification? How active are in fighting sin and confessing sin so that we may serve God?

He closes this reading by reminding us of the Lord’s promises to help us in our trying, ‘Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you’ (Mat. 7:7)

How can we encourage our children to try to serve God? Obviously, we must teach them they are not saved by works. This means the Gospel does not allow for “trying harder” in order to please God. He is pleased by His Son and His righteousness that extends to those who place their faith in Him.

The Gospel reminds us that we have the privilege of trying to serve God as a result of our salvation and not as a means of our salvation.

The Banner of Truth Trust

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson