STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

  

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.  (1 John 2:12-14)

Spiritual birth and growth are the themes of 1 John 2:3-17.  John speaks of little children, young men, and fathers. 

This speaks about OUR DUTY (v.3-11).  Those who have left the kingdom of darkness for the kingdom of light now have a duty to perform.  This demonstrates where our true allegiance lies.  In Hebrew expression, to “know” someone was more than just to know facts about them—it was to know them on the most intimate level, as when “Adam knew his wife.”  This means that salvation is to enter spiritual union with Christ—to have His very life in us and our life to be in Him (v.3-6).  It is about a love relationship with God (v.7-11).  If we hate, we are still in the darkness of sin.  The Devil is a murderer and we are his children if we harbor malice in our hearts. Love is the practice of those who walk in the light.

This is also a word about OUR DEVELOPMENT (v.12-14).  We have all heard, “Where there is life, there is hope.”  Another way we could say it is, “Where there is life, there is growth.”  That is the normal experience of things.  As a result of our physical birth we have life and we begin to grow.  But a child of God has a second, spiritual birth into the family of God and that should produce growth.  John addresses stages of spiritual development.  The only way into the family of God is through a new birth—our past is forgiven and our future is secured.  Spiritual growth won’t be easy, however.  There is the battle for it.  The Devil will see to that!  It requires effort; it will be a struggle.  Yet, we can be committed and conquer.  God permits the resistance to develop faith muscle.  Little children know God as father, but the mature know Him as the Eternal God who does not change.    Fathers are capable of reproduction—so disciples reproduce after our kind.

Finally, there is a word about OUR DEVOTION (v.15-17).  Our devotion to God is to be absolute.  It is to be exclusive.  John warns about this world system—the philosophies, passions, and pursuits of those living in rebellion against God (v.15). 

There are three tools of Satan (v.16):
1.  Pleasure “lust of the flesh” that perverts God-given drives.  This is hedonism.
2.  Possessions “lust of the eyes” where we covet what we see.  This is materialism.
3.  Pride “pride of life” which was the first sin in the universe (Satan) and on earth (Adam) where they sought to supplant God.  This is egotism.

The pleasure in sin is only for a season, but he that does the will of God abides forever (v.17)!  When you put this world behind you—you’ll see a better world to come.

THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF OUR SONSHIP

So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”  And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”  (Luke 2:48-49)

 

Get the picture: a large entourage is leaving Jerusalem—camels in a caravan, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws have made the pilgrimage to Passover observance and now returning to Nazareth.  Perhaps, Mary is near the back of the pack, and Joseph is in the lead, each of them sure that such a responsible Lad as Jesus was with the other parent.  Then they stop and a parent’s worst nightmare strikes terror into their hearts—their son is missing!  It would take three days to find Him. 

 

There is a scolding tone implied in Mary’s words to Him (and I paraphrase)—“Your father and I have been frantic!”  Jesus isn’t disrespectful, but He does set the record straight—“My father?  Don’t you recall who My Father is—and I have to carry out His assignment.” 

 

Jesus knew who He was.  Already at the age of twelve, He had a consciousness of His Sonship.

 

Although Joseph had an earthly responsibility as an adoptive father, Jehovah had an eternal relationship as the Almighty Father.  Being the virgin-born Son—the only Begotten Son—God was the Father of Jesus in a unique way.  But, we who have had a second, spiritual birth can now claim to be God's children also.  “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”  (John 1:12-13) 

 

Jesus understood that His relationship came with both resources and responsibilities.  He had authority from His Father and accountability to His Father. 

 

So do all God’s children!

 

As we cultivate this consciousness of our sonship we will be led to exert our authority and exercise our responsibility.  We will be about our Father’s business—the business of being dealers in hope—letting others know that they too can become the children of God.