SPIRITUAL MATURITY

There is a natural progression of spiritual growth described in the Bible that directly correlates to physical growth. The Apostle John writes of this in 1 John 2:12-14

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• I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

• I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

• ​I write to you, young men, ​​because you have overcome the wicked one.

• ​I write to you, little children, ​​because you have known the Father.​

• I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

• ​I have written to you, young men, ​​because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

 

Regardless if you have been a Christian for 4 days or 40 years, if you want to set out on a path of spiritual growth toward maturity, you have to begin as a little child. Jesus said, “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Mark 10:15). There is no jumping ahead based on physical age. Its like building a house from the ground up. It always has to start at the foundation, and that foundation is Jesus Christ alone (1 Cor. 3:11).

 

As a little child you must first know your sins are forgiven and the love of the Father for you. You need to know you are accepted, significant, and secure in Christ. As you progress then to becoming a young man, you become spiritually strong, knowing and believing God’s word at the core of your being, and have learned the enemies’ tactics to overcome the world, flesh, and the devil. Only then can you progress to become a father who has learned to trust our Heavenly Father and fully submit your life to His authority.

 

I believe it is appropriate to point out the last phase is not to progress from young man to old man. Instead, you need to become a father; and only men who spiritually reproduce become fathers. In other words, not only being a disciple of Jesus, but discipling others in the faith. This is the end goal Jesus left us with; “Go and make disciples”. Matt. 28:19