It Never Really Ends

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 
1 John 2:12 (ESV)

At 9 years old, I was leaving the movie theater where I got saved. As I was walking into the parking lot, I couldn’t get over the thought that every sin I had ever committed was forgiven. Nothing stood between God and me anymore. That night I went from knowing about Jesus to knowing Him.

In 1 John, the Apostle writes to the church and sees three levels of spiritual maturity: babies, young men, and fathers. He first addresses the little children: “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake” (1 John 2:12, ESV). Now, the Greek word for “little children” often refers to just a small, immature baby. Nothing is wrong with being a baby; that’s how we all enter the Kingdom of God. But something is wrong with staying one.

Some people in church are still babies, and some are fathers. But you can’t tell which just by looking. You cannot equate physical maturity with spiritual maturity. A man can be 60 and still be a spiritual baby. A young woman two years into following Jesus can already be a spiritual mother. You are young only once, but you can stay immature your whole life. 

So what is the mark of a little child, a baby? You get excited about being forgiven—thrilled at what Christ has done for you. That gratitude should never change. But gratitude alone is not growth. Growing up means sharing it, teaching someone else the Gospel that saved you.

So how do you get there? Remember these two things about spiritual growth:

First, it never really ends. You keep growing until you are exactly like Jesus, and until then, there is always room for more. You may have instant coffee, microwave popcorn, instant oatmeal, but in life there is no instant maturity.

Second, it never happens by accident. You have to choose it every single day.

Give yourself a spiritual test. Are you more patient than last year, or are you still angry when someone cuts you off in traffic? Are you more generous in encouraging your spouse than a year ago? Or more critical? Do you read your Bible with greater hunger than you did then?

You cannot microwave those answers. But keep choosing to grow, and a year from now they will look different.

Prayer: God, I confess that sometimes I go on autopilot in my spiritual growth. Show me where I have stopped growing and gotten comfortable. Turn up the heat in that part of my life. I want to change and become more like Jesus, not just have another birthday! Help me draw closer to You each day, Lord. In Your name, Amen.