Growing Up

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     I know that usually there is a Bible verse but today I am going to deviate from the Word Servant norm. I still encourage you to read 1 John 2:12-14. Those are the verses that impact today’s writing. However, I am going to come at this from a different angle today and just share what’s on my mind and heart.  

     The words “your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake” hit me hard. I mean, if you really look at the word sake, it means through, by, or because of Him. My sins have been forgiven me through Jesus. Your sins have been forgiven you by Jesus. Our sins have been forgiven us because of Jesus. No matter how I look at it, it is because of Him, through Him, by His life, death and resurrection and for His name’s sake that each of us are saved. Aside from accepting Him as Lord, what have I done in securing my eternal salvation? Nothing. Think about that for a moment.

     Further, the words “you have overcome the evil one” and “you are strong, and the word of God abides in you” gives me cause to sit and contemplate that. Clearly, for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior and have surrendered to His Lordship, we have victory in what He achieved on the cross. We have overcome in His atoning blood and have been freed of our sin-nature. Sure, we will wrestle with the flesh because we are still in these corrupted bodies. But, through the grace of God, we are no longer ruled by our sin-nature. We have a choice as to whether to cave to the flesh or reside in His word and overcome the temptation. We can choose to be strong and let the word of God abide in us. How awesome is that?!

     As I look at what John is saying in verses 12-14, I also cannot help but see the distinction between the young men and the fathers. For me, this resonates with whether I am a young man or a father in my faith. In other words, am I young, and like the believers John is writing to? Strong, with the word of God abiding in me? Or, am I immature and undeveloped spiritually? Am I a father, am I producing fruit as a result of my mature faith? Or am I still an immature believer years into my professed belief?

     I will be the first to admit, the first few years of my faith in Christ, I was pretty immature spiritually. It honestly was not until a year and a half ago that circumstances in my life made me look at where I was and who I had allowed myself to become. I had stopped attending church. I had walked away from those I did life with and I was caught in a sin-cycle of sin-guilt-shame-self-medicate-repeat. I avoided those that could speak life into me and when I was around those that could show Christ to me, I was guarded and disconnected because I was already wrestling internally.  

     Flash forward a-year-and-a- half later. I would be lying if I said I don’t have things to work on. In this season of my life, I am working through trust, releasing impatience, and recognizing where I need to grow inside. I am establishing connections with people that are spiritually mature so that I may continue to grow as a believer, and I am finding peace in the sovereignty of God. I recognize that I have had times where I dropped the ball in my faith and messed up in my walk. However, I also know that in repentance I am forgiven, and my salvation is built on this truth: Jesus saved me for His name’s sake.
    
     What about you? Are you mature in your faith and your walk with Christ? Are you strong, with the word of God abiding in you? Are you a father or mother in your faith? Are you producing fruit? Is His name's sake the one that matters most to you? Or, do you need to get serious and start getting to know Him through His word?

Until Next Time
God Bless.

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