Maturity in the Christian life and its stages I John 2:12-14

 Different Maturity in the Christian Life  I John 2:12-14

   We see three different stages of spiritual pilgrimage here.  They are all in the Father.  Here John wants to reassure his readers that he does not doubt the validity of their Christian faith; he wants to encourage them.  Our Lord said in Mark 4:28 " first the blade, then the ear , after that the full corn in the ear..."

1. The Word has been planted in the heart.  It has taken root in good soil. " the man who hears the Word, and understands it, and brings forth much fruit." Mt. 13  

John calls this " little children".  " I am writing to you little children , because your sins have been forgiven for His name's sake." 2:12  (forgiven is in the perfect tense , have been & remain forgiven) .   

These are new born in Christ.  Jn 6:44 " No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him"

2 words for children in Christ- teknia to bring forth parent-child relationship & paidia- to train  Jn 3:6 " that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you that you must be born again"

Acts 4:12 " Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved"

13c -" they have come to know the Father"

John Newton says this state is one of desire.  Romans 8:15 "  For you did not receive a Spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption

We may want to call it Confidence- Dan De Haan  " The God You Can Know" talks about the rough water in Mk 4:35-41 for the disciples.  " You of all people should have faith . If you are secure in your position in Christ , that will always produce calmness in the midst of calamity"  ( a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that is was now full")

2.  Young men- Conflict.   " I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome ( perfect tense again) the wicked one" 2:13   

Busy in the battle of Christian living.

--5:4-5  " For everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God"

They were the young men who were experiencing spiritual victory because  2:14b " the Word of God is presently abiding in you, and continuing to abide in you , and you have overcome the evil one"

Ps 119 :9-11 " How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy Word.  

With my whole heart have I sought thee: Do not let me wander from Thy commandments.

Thy Word have I treasured in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee."

People need a lot of encouragement in this stage, and need to remember which kingdom they are in when discouraged.  Romans 8:35  They will never be separated from the love of Christ.

They need perseverance.   Realizing they are on the right road, they do not lose heart.

3.  Lastly, fathers.  2:15 " know Him from the beginning"

They possess the depth and stability of ripe Christian experience.

Contemplation may be the right word for this stage.

John Newton, " He is much stronger because he has more feeling and a constant sense of his own weakness...His heart has deceived him so often, that he is now in a good measure weaned from trusting to it; therefore he does not meet with so many disappointments...thus he is strong, not in himself, but in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

He /She has humility and submission to the will of God & tenderness of spirit toward his fellow Christians .  His spirituality trust in the Lord ; circumstances do not shake him.  2:15   " Do not love the world, or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him"

Fathers produce children.  They are self-less and secure enough to "grow others up."  

---not men who are supersaints, but men who understand and know God.  ( not like the average person who spend much of their time in either watching someone else perform or reading about them...their lives are a by product of what they have seen the most)

If you are secure in your position in Christ, that will always produce calmess in the midst of adversity. Dan De Haan

" Time hurries on, but in all generations (fathers) find a refuge in Him who from everlasting to everlasting is God. They are already consciously living in eternity." Stott

Conclusion- First the blade, then the head, and then the mature grain.  We may struggle between the stages , and re-enter them back and forth, but God wants us to reach new goals and levels of maturity in our growth.  

But whatever difficulty you are in, remember little children your sins are forgiven for His name's sake and you know the Father.