Christian growth – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

Today, I was meditating on verses 12-14 and thinking about the stages of Christian maturity.

Newly born again Christians don’t know much, but they know this one thing: “My Daddy loves me and accepts me. And though I fall, he still loves me and will forgive me.”

And so God is totally approachable. They can run to him like a little child without fear.

Mature Christians also have this relationship. But it goes beyond that. Their experience with God is so much deeper.

They no longer simply see Daddy. But they see someone who has existed from all eternity. They see the all-powerful Creator who made all things.

They see the Holy One who is perfect in all his ways. They see one who never changes in his character, in his love, in his grace, and in his mercy.

They have seen God’s goodness and faithfulness to them, despite all their failures and the times they have been unfaithful. And as they think on these things, they stand in awe. They can’t help but worship.

And we have the young people who have grown to adulthood. They are no longer living on milk, but are eating the solid food of the Word. The word remains in them.

They are experienced and skilled in wielding the Word of God. They have trained their senses to discern right and wrong. And because of that, they have started to see victory in their lives over sin and the evil one. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Father, I pray for the young Christians in your church, that they would truly come to know you. That they could learn they are loved, accepted, and forgiven by you. That they can approach you as a little child, running to you, fully confident in your love for them.

Father, I pray for the mature Christians in your church, that as they think back on their relationship with you and all they’ve seen, experienced, and learned, they would stand in awe of you and share with the younger Christians all they have experienced with you.

And Father, I pray for the young adults in your church, that the word of God would remain in them. That they will have trained their senses to discern right and wrong. And that they will wield the sword of the Spirit skillfully in their lives as they face trials, temptations, and spiritual battles.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Keep on walking. Keep on growing.

Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God—as you are doing—do this even more…

For this is God’s will, your sanctification…

About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. In fact, you are doing this…

But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more… (1 Thessalonians 4:1,3, 9-10)

I’ve mentioned before that as Christians, we never truly arrive. As long as we are in this world, we will never be perfect.

And yet, as we see here in Paul’s words, we are called to keep on walking. To keep on growing.

Why?

Because God’s will is our sanctification. In other words, his will is that we would become more and more like him, in the way we act, and especially in the way we love.

Are you walking with God? Great! Do it even more.

Are you pleasing God? Great! Do it even more.

Are you loving God and others? Great! Do it even more.

Not to earn God’s love.

But because by his grace we have already received it. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

So beloved children of God, let’s keep on walking! Let’s keep on growing!