Growing in Christ / Creciendo en Cristo

Introduction

We all strive for growth. Growth is something that is expected of all living organisms:

Plants

Animals

Children

Failure to grow would be considered an anomaly. In fact, pediatricians regularly record a child’s height and weight to see where they are on the growth curve. If a child falls below the 5th percentile on more than one occasion, then they may be considered as having “failure to thrive syndrome” (sp sindrome de declive).

The same applies to the Christian life. The conversion experience is known biblically as a “new birth”.

John 3:3 NIV

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

John 3:3 NVI

—De veras te aseguro que quien no nazca de nuevo no puede ver el reino de Dios—dijo Jesús.

It is at this point that a person comes to confess they are a sinner. They repent of their sins and ask God for forgiveness. They realize that Jesus’ sacrifice was necessary for the forgiveness of their sins.

As time goes own, it is expected that this person will continue to grow, mature, and gain more experience of what it means to live the Christian life.

The Apostle Paul speaks about Christians that failed to grow/mature:

Hebrews 5:12 NIV

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

Hebrews 5:12–14 NIV

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5:12–14 NVI

En realidad, a estas alturas ya deberían ser maestros, y sin embargo necesitan que alguien vuelva a enseñarles las verdades más elementales de la palabra de Dios. Dicho de otro modo, necesitan leche en vez de alimento sólido. El que sólo se alimenta de leche es inexperto en el mensaje de justicia; es como un niño de pecho. En cambio, el alimento sólido es para los adultos, para los que tienen la capacidad de distinguir entre lo bueno y lo malo, pues han ejercitado su facultad de percepción espiritual.

Where are we on the path of spiritual growth?

Have we neglected the importance of growing in Christ?

In our scripture lesson, John focuses on the three stages of growth in the Christian life. Today we will consider each of these stages of growth:

The three stages of the Christian life

Children in Christ

Youth in Christ

Mature fathers in Christ

I. Children in Christ

I. Hijos in Cristo

Notice how the John refers to these three stages of the Christian life as children, youth, and mature fathers.

He is not referring to actual children, youth, or parents. He is speaking metaphorically.

Each of these refers to one of three stages of growth in the Christian life.

John’s focus starts with those who are children in Christ:

1 John 2:12–13 NIV

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

1 John 2:12 NIV

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

1 John 2:12–13 NVI

Les escribo a ustedes, queridos hijos, porque sus pecados han sido perdonados por el nombre de Cristo. Les escribo a ustedes, padres, porque han conocido al que es desde el principio. Les escribo a ustedes, jóvenes, porque han vencido al maligno. Les he escrito a ustedes, queridos hijos, porque han conocido al Padre.

1 John 2:12 NVI

Les escribo a ustedes, queridos hijos, porque sus pecados han sido perdonados por el nombre de Cristo.

John identifies children in Christ as those who have experienced two important things:

They know their sins are forgiven.

They know the Father.

Children in Christ know their sins are forgiven.

This is the beginning of the Christian life.

What differentiates those who believe in Jesus from those who do not? Simply put - believers know they have been forgiven by God because of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross.

This is the gospel message. The gospel message is that men have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. God must punish sin. Man is under a curse. God sent his son to die on the cross so that by his blood we may be forgiven. All that believe in Jesus Christ and confess their sins receive the gift of salvation.

This is the simple unadulterated message of the gospel.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not that you will have a wonderful life, riches, fame, a private jet - no! The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us that we can be forgiven by believing in Jesus Christ.

All new believers know this basic fact. They may be oblivious to many other truths of Scripture. They may not know the difference between baptism and communion, the end times, they may not even be able to articulate the doctrine of the Trinity. However, one thing they do know - and that is that their sins have been forgiven by God.

They know they are at peace with God. They have been reconciled to God.

Children in Christ know the Father.

They know God as a good father.

They do not yet understand many things about God such as his omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience.

They may not know that God does not change or that he is God in three persons.

Nevertheless, they know God as their loving father. They know God as a Father who provides, cares, and protects his children.

Children in Christ have a simple faith. They have simple trust in him who has saved them from their sins and will bring them to glory.

Just because this is a simple faith does not mean that we outgrow these beliefs.

By no means! All believers, children in Christ and the most mature believer, must share these two convictions: they must believe their sins have been forgiven and that God is their heavenly father!

We must cherish this simple childlike faith. However, believers must desire to grow in Christ. They must desire spiritual maturity. The next step in Christian maturity is to become a youth in Christ.

II. Youth in Christ

II. Jóvenes en Cristo

In verse 13 we are told that the young people in Christ “have overcome the evil one.” (2:13)

Then in verse 14 John speaks to these young people and says “because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (2:14)

Young people are frequently characterized by having lots of energy, lots of activity, constant action, constant movement. This stage in life is one of many challenges, many changes, many new experiences.

The same occurs in the Christian life. As we mature in the Christian life we face many battles against the evil one.

The Bible says that the devil "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” ().

We have a real enemy. The devil will not rest until he can either make us fall or destroy us.

He is constantly looking for an opportunity to defeat our spiritual growth in Christ.

Why? He knows that if we are growing in Christ we will be walking in obedience to him. We will be maturing in order to serve others and win the lost with the preaching of the Gospel. We will be a shining light to the nations. We will be a the salt of the earth.

Do not think for a moment that you will not face trials and tribulations on this earth. We shall surely face many challenges - and many of them have their origin in the devil himself.

Too many Christians forget this reality and easily succumb to the devils lies and traps. It is a battle to be a faithful member of a local church, is is a spiritual war to pray at home as family. It is spiritual warfare to read the scripture at home - why do you think many Christian families only pray, sing, and read the bible on Sunday mornings? - Satan is winning the war in the homes of many people who profess to be Christians.

We must enter this stage of spiritual growth where we realize that the devil wants to destroy or spiritual life and that of our family. Therefore, we must be on the offensive and counterattack.

We are in this battle to win against Satan’s devices.

We are in this battle to triumph over the powers of darkness.

Satan will not destroy our family. Satan will not have authority over our family!

How will we counterattack? - “by the word of God” that lives in us (2:14).

It is by the word of God that we can have victory over the enemy!

It isn’t through some magical prayer, some incantation, some ritual, or some mystical experience.

We must read, study, memorize, meditate, and speak to others about God’s word.

The word of God will empower us in our battle against the enemy. The word of God will edify our minds, it will encourage our souls, it will form our character. The word of God is our only anchor in this turbulent sea of false news, false politicians, false ideologies, false promises, false teaching!

We live in a very dangerous time because everything and everyone wants our attention. Our phones don’t stop ringing, our screens don’t stop glowing, work never stops demanding our attention - however, if we are to get through this life with our families safe in the arms of Christ we must run to God’s word and allow it to minister our lives.

We must have a time set aside to get into God’s word on a regular basis. He must dedicate some time out of the week to the study of God’s word - we cannot take any chances! We are dealing with eternal matters!

The study of God’s word is not simply to fill out minds with information. Rather, when we read God’s word it affects us in such a way that we are changed, we are transformed according to God’s word.

Do not despise doctrine. Doctrine fills our minds with truth about God, about his church, about salvation, about his plan for humanity. Those who despise doctrine despise it out of ignorance forgetting that we must understand what we believe and why we believe such things.

Do not be afraid! “you have overcome the evil one” (2:13). Christ has triumphed over him on the cross and has assured us the victory!

III. Mature fathers in Christ

III. Padres maduros en Cristo

John directs our minds to the last stage of growth in the Christian life. He refers to this last stage as those who are “fathers”.

Notice how in verse 13 and verse 14 he basically says the same thing. Mature fathers are those that “know him who is from the beginning” (2:13a, 14b).

This is somewhat different from the description of children who “know the Father” (2:14).

The difference is that fathers in Christ are mature believers who not only know the Father but they have a deeper understanding of who he is.

In this case, it is the fathers who know God as “him who is from the beginning”.

These mature believers have a clearer understanding of who God is. They have come to grow in their understanding of the character of God, of his plans, of his way of dealing with people.

They know God in a more intimate way.

These are people who are constantly aware of God’s presence and intervention in their lives.

These are mature believers who are models of the Christian life. They are encouragers, they seek out people to disciple, they are servants of the people of God.

Conclusion

Are you growing in Christ?

Are you struggling in your Christian life?

Do you long to know God more? Do you desire to know more about his word?

Do you desire to know your heavenly Father in a more personal and transformative way?