THE THREE LEVELS OF GROWTH

1 John 2:14

I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. 

I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. 

I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.

There are three stages of growing in the Christian faith. Firstly the level of childhood, this is obviously the period immediately after salvation. The believer at this point needs a lot of care, just like a child and seems to have it easy with the Heavenly Father, just the way we are to our children at their tender years.

1 John 2:12

I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.

Every believer begins from this stage and never leaves the humility of this stage but grows in the love and knowledge of God. Selah

I believe there is an intermediary state which is the youth stage, where the believer is very active and it is at this stage the believer faces most of the battles:

1 John 2:13b

I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one.

For most of the mistakes believers make comes at this time, the zeal is there, the physical energy is there and the urge is there to conquer. However wisdom may not be in abundance or do we say, is ignored in the place of excitement. 

However, this is yet the stage the believer learns to conquer the enemy, in prayer, study of the word and obedience. Every christian leader ought to understand these stages to really be a guide to Christ's flock under their care.

We then have the maturity stage, where we describe the believer as an elder. I remember when I had to leave the youth church, when the executives began to address me as elder each time I rose to speak. I quickly understood that it was time to graduate (smiles).

The maturity stage is most important, for these part/members of the fellowship help to keep in check the young believers, the pastor and other leaders.

1 John 2:13a

I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. 

The elders keep the family intact, they breed peace and quickly bring to caution those who are going out of line, especially those in the intermediary stage who could get carried away with the excitement and then make great mistakes.

The elders have a deep knowledge of Christ, they are vast in the word, and have become natural teachers.

These three stages ought to be the growth pattern of all believers.

However, some allow themselves to remain as toddlers or maybe just intermediate believers, one reason for this is what we will look at tomorrow - the friendship with the world!

Hebrews 5:12-13

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.

For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.

What stage are you in? What is hampering your growth? Don't you think you should let go and move forward?

See, no matter what stage you are in, it doesn't diminish your secular work, your contribution to the family, society or the world in general, it even enhances it and cause people to glorify God because of your good works. Selah

May we be found worthy.

May we grow in favour, grace and truly mature by God's Spirit.

Help us Good Lord.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher