Grow Up! Spiritually

For the longest time, I was the shortest one in my family. With being the youngest, and my brother who is quite a bit taller than me, I remember for pictures having to be in front. But I believe it was early high school, when I finally grew taller than my mother. I was excited that I was no longer the shortest one. When people are younger they get excited about growing. Now that is something they cannot control, one cannot control how tall they are. If I was the shortest one in my family, it is what it is. However one can control how much they grow spiritually.

John is writing to believers to comfort them. Before these verses he was writing to them about keeping the commandments of God, and walking in the light. He is comforting them by letting them know about their salvation, and the fact that they are truly believers. John is giving reassurance. One interesting part is that he addresses 3 classes of people, little children, young men, fathers. He also does not give them a goal, but gives them a qualification for being in that category. It is almost like a ride at an amusent park, where you have to be this tall ride. I remember being disappointed when I was younger, not being able to ride certain rides. I see that at other amusement parks. John is giving the qualifications for each step of the way. He is giving a Christian growth plan. You and I must grow in Christian maturity.

Little Children

The first one is addressed to everyone in other verses

Everyone who is saved their sins are forgiven

The second one is addressed to younger believers

Spiritually akin to newborn to early teenager

Because they are saved, they know the Father

They have a relationship with God

Yet a little child cannot protect itself

Babes in Christ are easier to lead away

Ephesians 4:14 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

Young men

The young men are strong and can overcome the evil one

Stronger in the faith

How? The word of God abides in them

Jesus resisted Satan with Scripture

This is in the context of false teaching, they knew the Word of God, to the point that they can defend against false teaching

If someone said Jesus did not come in the flesh, then they could tell the difference

If someone said that certain egregious sins, were ok, a young man spiritually speaking would know

Fathers

The fathers knew Him that is from the beginning

This is not just the know God, but truly know God

They also do not just know doctrine, but know God

His character, grace, mercy, justice, provision

This is deeper knowledge

When we first started dating, and we got married. We knew each other. But know we know each other on a deeper level

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

So how does one mature? The Word of God

Acts 20:32 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

1 peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

If you are not in the Word, you will never grow spiritually.

We are to grow to be more like Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Are we becoming more and more like Christ?