1 John 2:12-14
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
A few years ago I started taking flying lessons. I still remember the first time that my instructor and I were at the end of the runway and he told me to “go to full power, and at 60 knots pull the stick back”. The excitement I felt when I realized that the plane was going up and I was actually flying was almost overwhelming. As I continued in my training I was taught how to do maneuvers, stalls, read instruments, talk to ATC and of course one of the most important lessons, How to Land! Each lesson was designed to help me grow and learn as a pilot and progress in my training. The more I grew, the more I loved flying! And the more I loved it, the more I wanted to share my experience with others. I have been flying for a couple of years now and I still get excited when the wheels leave the ground (and relieved when they touch down again!) I still have a lot to learn as I seek to master the art of flying. I love to share this passion by taking others flying so they can experience what I have experienced!
There is a lot of similarities between this and our walk with Christ. When you come to a saving knowledge of Jesus you begin the process of growing as a Christian. That is what John is taking about in our passage to day. As a new christian we are like excited children as we begin this new relationship with Christ and begin to truly Know God! Then as we grow in our faith and knowledge we learn what it means to fight the good fight of faith as we strive for the Gospel. As we continue to mature as Christians and our love for Him deepens, we should begin to disciple and teach others as we help them grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Here is the paradox of the Christian life – I am all three of these things at the same time. I am still the Child who is excited about the very fact that I know God and am known by Him! I am the young man who strives for the Gospel as I continue to grow in my knowledge of Christ. I am the Father who has experienced the Grace of Christ in my life and I desire to help others to fall in love with Him. No matter how long we have walked with Him we should NEVER STOP GROWING!
Be honest with me for a second. Are you a growing Christians? When you consider the Grace of Christ does it move you to worship and fill you with awe? Are you learning more about Him as you study the Bible and are transformed by the truths in it? Are you investing in the walk of younger Christians, helping them know God and grow in their relationship with Him? This is a pretty good test to let us know if we are truly Growing as Christians.
Today as we ReFocus our hearts and minds on Christ lets ask ourselves, ‘Am I a growing Christians?’. Never lose the wonder of redemption! Never stop soaking in the word of God! Never Stop sharing; looking for others who God can use you to help them experience Christ as you have! Remember -Where Growth is there is Life and when we stop Growing, we stop Living.