While Ellen White does not specifically use the phrase "teenagers kissing," she writes extensively about the principles of purity in youth, the dangers of premature and unguided courtships, and the abundant grace available to those who repent of their sins. Her counsel provides a clear framework for understanding God's grace in the context of youthful mistakes. ### God's Tender View of the Erring Youth Ellen White emphasizes that God looks upon young people who have made mistakes with compassion and a deep desire to restore them. He understands the circumstances and temptations they face. * **God's Tenderness:** "They see them enfeebled, dilapidated, without moral force, moral wrecks... Parents’ hearts are broken... but God looks upon them with ... sorrow and tenderness. He understands all the circumstances which have led them into temptation, which have separated them from God." (MTC 43.1) * **The Prodigal Son:** She often uses the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate God's grace. The father, representing God, does not condemn but joyfully receives his repentant child. "The father takes the broad, rich mantle from his own shoulders, and wraps it around the wasted form, and the youth sobs out his repentance, saying, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son.' The father holds him close to his side, and brings him home." (GCB December 1, 1895, Art. A, par. 9) ### The Path to Restoration Through Grace For a young person regretting their actions, the path forward involves sincere repentance and accepting the strength that God's grace provides to live a pure life. * **Come as You Are:** The invitation is to come to Jesus without delay. "To every young man and young woman I would say: Come to Jesus just as you are. With humility and contrition express to him your penitence." (YI, November 6, 1902) * **Repentance and Purity:** Repentance is the key to finding hope and strength. "Your only hope now is to sincerely repent of your past transgressions of God's law and purify your soul by obeying the truth. Cultivate purity of thought and purity of life. The grace of God will be your strength to restrain your passions and curb your appetites." (2T 91.2) * **Sins Washed Away:** Forgiveness is fully available to the young. "You are none too young to be good Christians, and have children's experience in the Christian life, and know that your sins are washed away in the blood of your Redeemer." (AY 56.1) * **Victory Through Grace:** Grace is not just for forgiveness but also for future victory. "Through daily prayer to God, they will have wisdom and grace from Him to bear the conflict and stern realities of life, and come off victorious." (Pr 162.1) ### Warnings on Courtship and Purity Her writings also contain strong warnings about the emotional and spiritual dangers of improper courtships, which helps explain why such actions lead to regret. * **Deceptive Courtships:** "Courtship as carried on in this age is a scheme of deception and hypocrisy, with which the enemy of souls has far more to do than the Lord. Good common sense is needed here if anywhere; but the fact is, it has little to do in the matter." (CCh 117) * **Consequences of Thoughtlessness:** A single thoughtless act can have lasting consequences. "A little time spent in sowing your wild oats, dear young friends, will produce a crop that will embitter your whole life; an hour of thoughtlessness, once yielding to temptation, may turn the whole current of your life in the wrong direction." (4T 622.3) * **The High Standard:** God's standard is perfect purity. "The requirements of the Bible are not half-way injunctions; they demand perfect purity of thought, of word, and of deed." (MYP 446.3) In summary, Ellen White's counsel shows a perfect balance. She takes sin seriously, warning youth of the profound consequences of impurity. However, her central message is one of hope, pointing to a compassionate God whose grace is sufficient to forgive any sin, restore purity of heart, and provide the strength to live a victorious Christian life.