Discover essential advice for graduates that will set you up for success in life—watch now for timeless wisdom and guidance.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Watch the video of this teaching at https://www.celllifechurch.tv/advice-for-graduates/ or on our YouTube channel.
We are entering summer and that means school years are coming to a close and students are going through various graduations. We are often asked for words of wisdom or advice for graduates. When we were youth pastors it was an annual topic to share from the pulpit. There is advice that can be very specific for a graduate or group of graduates, and then there is general advice for all graduates.
We have some general scriptural advice for all graduates that stand the test of time. Three passages of scripture have resonated with me throughout the years of my Christian life and they are great advice for graduates. These three passages build upon one another and help guide us to exactly where God wants us to be regardless of what we are doing.
Let’s look at those three passages of scripture and how they apply to life in the world today and how they build upon each other to give the best advice for graduates.
One essential piece of advice for graduates is to seek God wholeheartedly. This wisdom is rooted in Psalm 119:10-11.
(10) I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. (11) I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Sin separates us from God, but by seeking Him with all your heart, you can stay on the right path. Adam and Eve brought original sin into the world and mankind has battled sin ever since. Each day we are faced with temptations that are pleasing to the eye or flesh, the desire to hide our mistakes, and the hunger for power and money. These are all things that are contrary to God’s plan for anyone and are deep-seated sins. We can avoid these types of things by reading and committing what Psalms 119:10-11 says to our hearts.
First, you must seek God with your whole heart. You seek God with your whole heart by looking for Him in every situation each day of your life. God will always provide a path away from temptation and sin. God will always give you the integrity and wisdom to acknowledge your mistakes and help you address them. Most of all, God will forgive you of your sin, when you seek and serve Him with your whole heart, following Jesus.
The psalmist writes, “do not let me stray from your commands” in verse 10. You can ask God to lead you away from sin and keep you focused on what He has created and gifted you for. It is not about your glory, but God’s. Fame and fortune are not for your folly, but for God’s use and service. Ask God to keep you from straying from His commands.
The psalmist goes on to say, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” It is important to know God’s word and commit it to your heart. God’s word is truth. Truth is not relative, nor is truth different for different people or people groups. God is truth and His word teaches us His truth.
Filling your heart with God’s truth leaves no room for sin. This foundational advice for graduates is crucial as you move forward.
Another vital piece of advice for graduates is found in Ecclesiastes 12:13.
(13) Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
After committing God’s word to your heart, live by it. The teacher in Ecclesiastes emphasizes two main instructions: fear God and keep His commandments.
Many misunderstand when they read that we are to fear God. This does not mean we should be afraid of God. God is our father. There is no need to be afraid of God. The word fear here is a verb meaning to respect, revere, or hold God in awe. Fearing God means you serve Him with your whole heart with love.
To succeed in life and God’s plans and purposes for you, you must fear God. You must respond to Him with sincerity and a deep desire to serve Him and do all He has created and equipped you for. You should do nothing more and nothing less. Respecting God and His plans and purposes for you and others around you is not optional. It is to be our focus.
Likewise, we are to keep God’s commandments. It always amazes me when people here in America want to remove monuments and copies of the 10 Commandments from the grounds and walls of public places. Is there a problem with telling people not to steal or murder? What is wrong with telling people not to covet their neighbor’s wife? Why can’t we tell people it is wrong to lie?
We are to keep God’s commandments. Jesus said it best when he spoke about the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22:36-40.
(36) "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" (37) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' (38) This is the first and greatest commandment. (39) And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (40) All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Always ask yourself, “Does this glorify God or show love for my neighbor?” This advice for graduates encourages a life of respect for God and adherence to His commandments.
The final piece of advice for graduates is from John 3:17.
(17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Jesus came to save, not condemn. Remember, no one is beyond God’s saving grace. Love others as God loves you. Jesus came to save our souls. Jesus came to bridge the gap of sin that Adam and Eve brought into the world. Jesus is the once and perfect sacrifice so that we all can be reconciled to God.
No one is beyond God’s saving grace. No one has gone so far that God cannot forgive them and accept them into the family. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn you. God does not condemn you. Please know that God loves you, period.
As you go into the world, as a Christian, you must also love others the way God does. You must not condemn others or think they are too far gone. Do not give up on anyone. No one is too far gone that God cannot redeem them. They just need to be willing. You need to be willing to be redeemed.
The Apostle Paul echoes this in Romans 8:38-39.
(38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing can separate us from God’s love. This final piece of advice for graduates encourages you to embrace and share God’s love.
To all graduates, congratulations! Whether you’ve just graduated or are looking back on past achievements, this advice for graduates is invaluable. Seek God with your whole heart, fear God and keep His commandments, and embrace His love and grace. These timeless truths will guide you throughout your life.
Remember, this advice isn’t just for graduates—it’s beneficial for everyone, every day. Apply these principles to lead a fulfilling and successful life.
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