Growing Up Or Staying Childish

 "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." 1John2:12-13

In these verses I see three distinct groups of people. I see little children, young men, and fathers. And each group has a unique position and experience in Christ.

I have met people in Fellowship churches who seem to be stuck in the little children phase of their faith. These are older people who have been saved for a long time but who still talk and act like brand new converts. Everything is exciting to them. Everything is the best it has ever been to them. Everything seems brand new to them. I have wondered why, since I don't feel or act that way, what is wrong with me. Is it me or is it them who is off track?

I used to work in an office and I remember a young lady telling me about the old men at the club trying to act young and hip and trying to pick them up. The young lady was disgusted. I have seen adult men dressing and acting like teens and they look pathetic. I have seen this behavior at Prescott conference and in local churches.

I wonder if in church there are some people who never grew up in the faith and who don't know how to act as an adult with mature faith so they in desperation try to recapture an experience that once a long time ago worked for them. I see old men trying to disciple young unmarried boys and trying to be one of them. In our churches there is a definite youth focus since that is where revival happens and that is the pool of disciples who get sent out.

In the text it simply says that little children are forgiven. Nothing more. Fathers have a deep sense of understanding and knowledge and experience that makes their faith secure. They are not soon shaken by anything. Young men have strength and power with an outward focus. The secret to a long and satisfying faith is to grow in Christ and to rest in faith and to seek direction for the future looking forward, not looking backward. If you are stuck in spiritual diapers, ask the Lord to help you to grow.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."2Peter3:18