When my grandson was two years
old, often the first thing he would say when he came to our house was,
"Play cars." He could spend hours on end playing with cars. When he
was five, he said, "I don’t think I will ever get tired of playing cars,
do you?"
Do you still like to play with
match box cars or dolls? Would you like to retain the body of a 2- or
5-year-old? How about the mind and level of intelligence of one?
Probably most, if not all, of our
readers would not want to go back to the body and mind of a child. But how
about your level of spiritual growth? Are you happy with where you are right
now? Are you content with just being saved and no more, with preserving your
childlike faith, with remaining a spiritual baby the rest of your life?
Scripture nowhere entertains the
"normality" of a believer in Christ remaining a spiritual infant.
Thus, as we begin a new year, a new decade, a new century, even a new
millennium, what more appropriate time is there than this to ask ourselves
these three questions:(1) "How much have I grown and matured spiritually
since I first trusted Christ?" (2) "How much do I fall short of
"the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ?" (Eph. 4:13),
or "How much more do I have to grow to be "conformed to the image of
[God’s] Son" (Rom. 8:29)? and (3) "How can I narrow the gap between
where I am and where I ought to be?" In this article and the following
ones we shall seek to learn what Scripture teaches us about the spiritual
growth and maturity of the Christian.
Three Levels of Christian Maturity
The apostle John writes to three
classes of Christians according to their level of spiritual maturity:little
children, young men, and fathers (1 John 2:13-27). Let us consider each of
these classes, both what they have and what they need.
Little children—what they have:
"You have known the Father" (2:13). The apostle Paul writes
similarly:"You have received the Spirit of adoption [or sonship], whereby
we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we
are the children of God" (Rom. 8:15,16).
Even new-born babes in Christ
quickly learn to know the blessed position they have as children of their
heavenly Father. Here are some of the ways God relates to us as Father:
1. He has affection for us, is our
Friend (John 16:27).
2. He instructs us by allowing us
to experience trials and testings and helping us to learn to respond properly
to these problems, that we might be partakers of His holiness" (Heb.
12:5-11).
3. He holds us in His hand, keeps
us safe and secure for all eternity (John 10:29).
4. He gladly hears and responds to
our prayers and petitions (Matt. 6:9; 7:11; John 15:16).
5. He is merciful and
compassionate (2 Cor. 1:3,4; Psa. 103:10-13).
6. He teaches us and reveals to us
His will for our lives (Matt. 12:50; 16:17).
Little children—what they need:
"Even now are there many antichrists…. He is antichrist who denies the
Father and the Son" (1 John 2:18,22). The babes in Christ, because they
are not yet grounded in the teachings of the Word of God, are particularly
vulnerable to false teaching.
Here are some of the false
teachings that abound today:
1. Jesus is a good man and a great
prophet, or the highest created angel who created everything else, but is not
God.
2. Jesus is God, but is not human.
3. The Holy Spirit is not a Person
but just an influence.
4. Satan is a myth.
5. There is no life after death.
6. The Universe and all that is in
it came into being by chance.
The little children need to be
established in the fundamental teachings of Scripture, especially concerning
the Person and work of Christ. Our passage tells us that the Holy
Spirit—"the anointing"—is equal to the task of "teach[ing] us of
all things" (2:27). The Spirit often leads an older Christian to take the
little child under his/her wing and encourage the learning of the Scriptures (1
Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15).
Young men—what they have:
"You are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome
the wicked one" (2:13,14). This, linked with what the little children
need, means that the young men have become sufficiently established in the
basic teachings of Scripture that they are not in danger of succumbing to the
false teachings that Satan, "the wicked one," would place before
them.
Young men—what they need:
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…. For all
that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (2:15,16). Even
though this class of "young men" know the Scriptures well,
they are not fully walking according to them in faithfulness to their Lord and
Saviour who loved them and gave Himself for them (Gal. 2:20). Their focus is
not yet entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ. His power, His glory, His creation,
His incarnation, His humility, His love, His sufferings, His death, His
resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His intercession for us, His coming
again—these "things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27)— do not yet fill
and thrill the hearts of these redeemed ones.
Fathers—what they have:
"You have known Him who is from the beginning" (1 John 2:13). Who is
this? The apostle tells us at the opening of his epistle that this One is the
Lord Jesus Christ, "He who was from the beginning, whom we have heard,…
whom we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life"
(1:1-3).
The fathers have what the young
men yet lack—a whole-hearted attraction and commitment to their Lord and
Saviour, Jesus Christ. They no longer struggle with "the lust of the
flesh." They are not seduced by the glitzy but empty attractions of the
world, the "lust of the eyes." They have found Christ to be far
better than all of these. The fathers also have become sufficiently
"conformed to the image of" God’s Son that they recognize and judge
the subtle "pride of life" that once impelled them to want to be in
charge and control, "to have the preeminence" (3 John 9), to be
recognized and thought well of by others (Matt. 6:5), to be promoted to a
higher position (Luke 14:7-11), to avenge offenses against themselves (Matt.
5:44; Rom. 12:19,20), or to despise reproof and correction (Prov. 10:17; 12:1;
15:10). The apostle Paul’s desire, "that I may know [Christ]" (Phil.
3:10), is surely the expression of a spiritual "father."
This is not to say the the
"fathers" have reached perfection (Phil. 3:12). No doubt the true
fathers are those who realize the most how far they are from achieving the perfection
of Christ and who earnestly desire to grow more and more.
Fathers—what they need:
"You have known Him who is from the beginning" (1 John 2:14). This is
exactly the same as the statement in the previous verse of what they fathers
already have. Therefore, all the fathers need is to persevere in what they
already have.
General comments. One might
expect there to be, more or less, a one-to-one correspondence between number of
years saved and degree of spiritual growth and maturity. However, large discrepancies
sometimes are seen. I have known persons who have shown more spiritual growth
after a year or two than that of most Christians after 10 or 20 years of being
saved. On the other hand, I have known persons apparently saved for 40 or 50
years who still appear to be "little children."
While the apostle John presents
three classes of spiritual maturity, I would suggest that there are not strict
lines separating these three classes. Just as physical growth follows a
continuum, so does spiritual growth. Likewise, just as one’s body weight may
rise and fall, depending on how much and what we eat, or being afflicted with
certain illnesses, so one who has become a "father" may regress back
to a "young man" if he takes his focus off of Christ.
"That I May Know Him"
We have already referred to the
apostle Paul’s desire to know Christ. What is involved in knowing Him? Just as
"all Scripture … is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction" (2 Tim. 3:16), so knowing Christ involves these same three elements.
1. Doctrine. Knowing Christ
first of all, necessarily involves learning about Him (1 John 1:1), His
Person and work, primarily as revealed in the Gospels.
2. Reproof. Knowing Christ
involves recognizing areas of our lives that are contrary to His commandments,
words, ways, and walk. "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also so
to walk even as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
3. Correction. Knowing
Christ involves bringing our lives, attitudes, responses, and ways into
conformance with His holy life. This does not mean simply that we make outward
changes in our behavior, such as attending all the meetings of the assembly,
preparing for and participating in the meetings, praying beautiful prayers, or
legalistically saying "I am going to stop doing this and start doing
that." It involves deep inward changes in our whole way of thinking. It
involves finding Christ more and more attractive, resulting in the things of
earth losing their attraction to us. It involves growing sensitivity to the mind
of Christ and increasing willingness and desire to make changes in our thinking
and activities as we become enlightened by the Holy Spirit through the Word and
as we get to know Christ better. This matter of maturing is not something we do
by ourselves, in our own strength. Rather, God gives us all the power and
encouragement we need for this growth through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us,
and it is the Holy Spirit who ministers Christ to our souls (John 16:13-15;
Eph. 5:18; Phil. 1:6).
4. Knowing Christ involves
experiencing the joy of communing with Him, walking with Him, pleasing Him,
trusting Him, responding in the way He would, learning and doing His will, and
serving Him. The more we are occupied with Christ, the greater our motivation
for wanting to know Him even better.
5. Knowing Christ involves longing
to know Him in ways we cannot know Him here below. "That I may know Him,
and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being
made conformable unto His death" (Phil. 3:10). Note in this verse that the
ideal path to getting to know Christ the best of all involves suffering and
perhaps even death for His sake (see also Phil. 1:29; Col. 1:24).
Other Scriptures That Link the
Knowledge of Christ with Maturity
"But we all, with open face
beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image
from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18).
"Till we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13).
"God would make known what is
the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in
you, the hope of glory; whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every
man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus"
(Col. 1:27,28).
"We know that, when He shall
appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).
Some Things We Learn About Christ
by Studying the Gospels
As noted above, our knowing Christ
involves bringing our lives, attitudes, responses, and ways into conformance
with His. Christ’s life as recorded in the Gospels serves as the perfect
example for the devoted Christian to follow (John 13:14,15; Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Pet.
2:21,22; 1 John 2:6). Let us now outline some of the things we learn about
Christ in the Gospels.
His purity of heart and life.
He did not sin (John 8:46; 14:30; 19:4,6; 1 Pet. 2:22). He obeyed His parents
(Luke 2:51). He obeyed His heavenly Father (John 4:34; 6:38; 8:28,29). He is
pure and holy (Heb. 7:26; 1 John 3:3).
His attitudes toward others.
Toward His parents (Luke 8:19-21; John 19:26,27). Toward dinner hosts (Luke
7:44-46; 10:38-42). Toward children (Matt. 18:1-5; Mark 10:13-16). Toward social
outcasts (Matt. 9:9-13; John 4:9).
His attitudes in various
circumstances of life. He was self-sacrificing (Matt. 8:20; John 4:31-34).
He was meek (Matt. 11:29; Mark 15:3). He was humble (Matt. 11:29; John
13:14,15; Phil. 2:5-8). He was sensitive and compassionate (John 11:35). He had
peace and self-composure (Mark 4:37,38; John 18:3-6).
His actions. He listened
and asked questions (Luke 2:46). He did not yield to Satan’s temptations (Matt.
4:1-11). He dealt wisely with souls in need of salvation (John 4). He spent
much time in prayer (Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12). He did not act
precipitously or rashly (John 11:1-6,17). He spoke encouraging words (Matt.
8:10; 15:28; John 1:47; 14:1-3,16-18,27).
His responses to those who
opposed and mistreated Him. He was patient (1 Pet. 2:20-23). He was calm
and gentle and held His peace (Matt. 26:50,63; 27:12-14). He forgave His
enemies (Luke 23:34). He withdrew or hid Himself from His enemies (Matt.
12:14,15; John 10:39,40). He reasoned with His opponents (Matt. 12:1-8,10,12;
15:1-6; 22:23-46).
His responses to man’s sin.
He rebuked those with wrong thoughts about Himself (Matt. 16:21-23; Luke
9:52-56). He patiently instructed self-centered ones (Luke 9:46-48; 22:24-27).
He showed anger toward hypocrites and those who dishonored His Father (Matt.
23:23,27,28; John 2:13-16).
His work. He was a tireless
preacher (Mark 1:21-35). He often spoke in parables (Matt. 13; 20:1-16; Luke
15). He was never satisfied with doing less than the best (Matt. 8:15,26; Mark
6:34-44; John 2:10). He ministered personally by touch to those whom He healed
(Mark 1:31; 7:33; 8:23; 9:27; Luke 5:13; 13:13). He performed many miracles in
private, without a stage (Mark 7:36; 8:26; Luke 5:14; 8:56).
It is an immensely profitable study
to go through the four Gospels and notice how the Lord Jesus lived His life and
responded in a whole variety of situations. What a challenge it is to each one
of us to seek to live our daily lives as Christ live His. Let us be learning
continually to ask ourselves, "What would Jesus have said or done in these
circumstances?" And let us daily ask the Lord to help us, by the power of
the Holy Spirit, to walk just as Christ walked.
Manifestations of Christian
Maturity
The following manifestations of Christian
maturity are based on verses that include the Greek word teleios,
meaning "perfect," "full-grown," or "mature":
1. Having love, even for one’s
enemies (Matt. 5:44-48; Col. 3:14).
2. Not offending in the words we
speak (Jas. 3:2).
3. Patient in trials (Jas.
1:2-4).
4. Bold, not fearful (1 John
4:17,18).
5. Acknowledging one’s own
weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
6. Having well-exercised
spiritual perception with discernment of good and evil (Heb. 5:14).
7. Separated from unholy
alliances and cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Cor.
6:14-7:1).
8. Able consistently to discern
God’s will (Col. 4:12).
9. Like-minded with other mature
Christians (Phil. 3:15; contrast 1 Cor. 3:1-4).
10. Desiring even greater maturity
(Phil. 3:12,13).
Why Should I Bother?
"Why should I bother with
trying to grow spiritually? I am happy with the world; why should I change? I
am content to wait until I get to heaven to be conformed to Christ. I want to
enjoy earth now; I can enjoy heaven when I get there."
Have you, my reader, ever
entertained questions and thoughts like these? Do you realize how unworthy they
are of the One who loved you so much that He gave His life for you? Let me
give a couple of parables to illustrate the implications of such questions and
thoughts.
Parable 1. Imagine,
fellows, that you have just become engaged to a girl. She is not just any girl;
she is the most beautiful, attractive, talented, intelligent, friendly,
charming, loving, selfless, and spiritual girl in town … maybe in the entire
country. And she has agreed to marry you!
Now imagine thinking to yourself:
"She is mine, she has agreed to marry me, we have a wedding date set for
12 months from now. I expect to be living with her for the next 50 years or so.
Therefore, I think I will use the next few months before our wedding spending
time with as many different girls as I possibly can. I won’t have such an
opportunity once I am married."
That is pretty silly, isn’t it! of
course you would not think anything of the kind! Rather, you would be spending
every moment possible with the girl of your dreams. But is it possible that you
are you treating Christ like that? "What do you think of
Christ?" (Matt. 22:42).
Parable 2. You have won a
ticket to a buffet dinner. This is no ordinary buffet. Fifty world-class chefs
have gathered from all parts of the globe to engage in a competition. You are
one of the fortunate few to have won a free ticket to a buffet consisting of
the favorite and most special creations of these chefs.
On the way to the buffet you pass
the golden arches. You think, "I know what McDonald’s food is like, and I
don’t know what the buffet will be like. Maybe it will just be stuff like
caviar, brains, and mushrooms. I think I’ll go to McDonald’s instead."
Some Christians may have thoughts
like that about heaven. "In case there is no tennis, Scrabble, Internet,
videos, or (fill in the blank) in heaven, I want to make sure I get my fill
here on earth." What they do not realize is that the least of heaven’s
joys will far exceed the best that this world has to offer. Walking with Christ
here below will provide us with a foretaste, a sampling of heaven. But we will
never experience it unless we allow the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts and
desires with Christ.
If we are truly saved, if we
really understand what Christ has endured on the cross for our salvation, we
will want to bear fruit (John 15:1-5), give evidence of our faith (Jas.
2:14-26), and grow to be more like Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). "The love of
Christ constrains us … that [we] … should not henceforth live unto
[our]selves, but unto Him who died for [us] and rose again" (2 Cor.
5:14,15).