What would you tell the Class of 2018 (or any other class)?

I was watching Fox News Channel's "The Five" the other day and they had a segment in which each one of the contributors was asked what advice they would give the Class of 2018. Each of them responded in their own unique ways with some form of advice (one was a quote from the Lego Batman Movie). As a teacher and pastor, I am often confronted with opportunities to speak, so I began to think about what I would tell the Class of 2018. After some time of contemplating this question, I found that I had way too many things to say just to leave them with one thing.

I believe that the Class of 2018 has potential to change what seems to be unchangeable, to right the wrongs of those who have come before them.

It was early this morning that I finally found that one thing that I wish to let this year's seniors know. In fact, this truth that I now feel compelled to share with the class of 2018 is so important that I believe it is something everyone should consider. In a word, it is life-changing. The sad part is that this truth is not original with me. It came from another man who was writing to help set people on their life-journey toward the correct path, the apostle Paul.

In Romans 12, Paul unleashes some of the most important precepts for living. If you grew up in church, you probably are familiar with the first couple of verses that deal with living a life that is a sacrificial act of worship to God, and not being bent into the molds of the world's cultural system but allowing God to change (metamorphosis) us into a new creation by daily renewing our minds. But beyond those verses lie some of the greatest truths about life that are very counter-cultural. Paul ends Romans 12 with what I believe is a summation of all this truth and the one thing I wish that the class of 2018 (and others) needs to know. He says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:29).

What a simple, yet profound truth. If the graduates of 2018 and beyond would just follow this basic principle for living we would have a better world. I have to admit that I am excited yet terrified for these young adults who step into a world that is becoming increasingly worse every day. It is a world marked by selfishness, injustice, and apathy. The world has become a place that is hostile to those who would do good, protect the innocent, and speak the truth. But . . . I believe that the Class of 2018 has potential to change what seems to be unchangeable, to right the wrongs of those who have come before them. Class of 2018, go make a difference!

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