Growing Up
Introduction
It is essential that we “grow-up” spiritually after we receive Christ as Lord! Note Ephesians 4:14-15, “…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ.” (NKJV) Again, read 1 Peter 2:2, “…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,” (NKJV) And, also, we read in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men.” (NKJV)
Without question, we can see that it is God’s will for us to grow up in the Lord. Yet, so many of us are not maturing as we should. In order for us to check on our spiritual growth, let’s look today at the stages of the healthy Christian.
I. Spiritual Babyhood
(2:12, 13b)
“little children” = born ones / to be birthed. John is speaking of the new birth, as is recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 3. Jesus spoke of this new birth as something necessary for a person to be right with God. This speaks of our salvation experience. There are two characteristics of those who have been born again.
A. Their Sins Have Been Forgiven
(verse 12)
B. They Are Sons Of The Heavenly Father
(Verse 13)
II. Spiritual Babyhood
(2:13b, 14b)
“young men” = those younger in the faith. As soon as a child is born, it begins to grow and develop into a period of youth. Every person who is saved is to do likewise in their walk with God. We are babies when we are born again, but we should start to grow up immediately. It is God’s will for younger Christians to grow in the Lord. How?
A. They Are To Learn To Be Strong In The Scriptures
(Verse 14b)
B. They Are To Learn To Be Successful Against Satan
(Verses 13b, 14c)
III. Spiritual Babyhood
(2:13a, 14a)
“fathers” = spiritual adulthood! As we develop as Christians, we are to become adults in the Lord. This means we are to be able to win others and give direction to them, the same as a human father does to his children. There are basically two mark of spiritual maturity.
A. A Christian Who Has Spiritual Children
“father” A father is someone who has a child or children. One sign of spiritual maturing is that you win others to Christ.
B. A Christian Who Has Spiritual Consistency
“from the beginning” Just as important, spiritual maturity should reveal a faithful walk with God. A husband and father, in a family, works and is dedicated to his family’s welfare. Likewise, someone who is a spiritual “father” works for the Lord, seeks to protect and to give direction to others who are less mature!