What makes a generation different from other generations? Is it just the age? What influences a generation’s behavior and worldview? What can be used to explain why Gen Z’s in Kenya have chosen to take to the streets and to social media to effect political change?
Every generation has unique experiences and unique problems. The solution to problems encountered by a generation is tied to that particular generation. The problems that are being experienced by Gen Z in Kenya currently can only be solved by this generation. Gen Z’s in Kenya have come to realize that they cannot wait for anyone else to come and save them. Not even their parents and elders who have for years, continued to vote alongside tribal lines, exposing us to bad leaders who are only concerned with their filling their own pockets at the expense of our generation and the generations to come.
We have been on a journey, seeking to understand believer’s identity and authority in different contexts. If you missed last week’s article, kindly find it here. For today, we learn about Gen Z’s assignment in this time and age. As a Gen Z believer and a responsible citizen, what is your assignment? How do you influence the generation and world at large?
Understanding Your Responsibility
The level of your manifestation is directly tied to your revelation. This means that you can only influence your world as much as you have an understanding of your responsibility and the authority you have been given. It is quite difficult to influence someone if you do not have an understanding of what you have been given or even what is expected of you. As a believer, you need an understanding of the problems/battles being encountered by your generation before you can begin to solve these problems. A very wise man said that if you are given 10 days to fell a tree, you should spend nine out of the 10 days sharpening your axe. Once you know the problem and your responsibility now is the time to execute what you know.
Executing Gen Z’s Assignment
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
For the past couple of weeks, we have been talking about a believer’s response to a national crisis, the very first response being to stand uncompromised.
The Bible remains the most timeless book to have ever been written since every generation can find solutions to its problems inside. It is in the word of God that we find the weapons to execute our assignment. Putting the whole armor of God allows us to stand the wiles of the enemy.
God describes young people as strong, based on their knowledge of God and also based on how much they are able to overcome the enemy.
1 John 2: 14b (NKJV)
I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.
Weapons To Execute Gen Z’s Assignment
Ephesians 6:14-18 (NIV)
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
The scripture, “gird your loins with the truth” simply means put on Christ. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Therefore, to execute your assignment as a Gen Z believer, you need to put on Christ.
Helmet of Salvation
Gen Z believers identify with a different kind of system, and we have the responsibility of bringing the wave of that system into our world.
Verse 17 tells us to put on the helmet of salvation. Technically speaking, a helmet is worn to protect the head. This means that by putting on the helmet of salvation, we can influence the minds and the ideologies of young people. When we see some of these things taking place, we do not perceive them just from a world viewpoint, but we perceive them with a transformed mind; with the mind of Christ.
Breastplate of Righteousness
The primary role of a priest is to represent God before men and men before God. For one to effectively do this, there must be a right standing with God. For Gen Z to speak light in these evil days, we must pursue a heart posture that can hear from God. A consistent walk with God will make you boldly say, “Thus says the Lord” with the assurance that you are speaking the word of God, not from your emotions.
God is always speaking, however, it is for us to develop the right posture so that we can perceive and accurately discern what the Lord is saying. Part of the unique responsibility that God is entrusting to this generation is to speak for Him. When we speak for God, as in the case of people like Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha, God will always confirm our words, never letting any of them fall to the ground. This is why it is especially critical to put on the breastplate of righteousness and put off the old man.
Ephesians 4:20-24 (NKJV)
But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and is renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
What we are seeing in our nation right now is a questionable righteousness. The righteousness like the one that Pharisees put on, judging it more critical to wash the outside of the cup where everyone can see, instead of inside the cup.
God is calling us to put on true righteousness that is without error. It is when such kind of righteousness is in power that the people rejoice. True believers who practice true righteousness are not known by their arguments.
How to know true believers?
- By their fruits
- By the longevity of their fruits
John 15:16 NKJV
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain
It is in bearing fruits that God is glorified in us.
But there is a problem, a good problem?
Right standing with God will demand a high level of consecration. It will require you to be set apart. As we said last week, you cannot eat of the king’s delicacies and still point at him. The minute you eat these delicacies, you become compromised and start speaking, not according to the word of God but according to your emotions and desire to remain in right standing with the rulers, not with God.
“Father, you have called us to show forth your marvelous light in this generation. We receive the grace to stand. The grace to show forth this light. The grace to bear long-lasting fruits and glorify you in this world, especially in this current national crisis. In the name of Jesus, we pray.”
Amen
Now go forth and bear fruits.