21 Days in 2024
MATURE SONS
“… I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.”
1 John 2:13-14
Our maturity will determine the level of responsibility we are ready to bear.
When we are children, we are learning and growing with little expectation placed on us beyond our development. It is only as we get older that expectations become more of a priority as we learn to develop character. When we are older, having lived our life consistently in one direction, we find our rest in the knowledge of Him.
“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:14-16).
When my children were young, we would backpack into the Jefferson Wilderness. My older children, full of energy, the desire for adventure and wanting to prove who was the strongest, would rush on ahead. My youngest could not travel as fast. As his father, I set my pace alongside his. I could have travelled faster, but I had less to prove and a greater responsibility for the safety of all my children. The difference between fathers and sons is that fathers do not compete with sons as brothers do with one another. Fathers attempt to help everyone finish the journey well.
Each of us travels the same path. But, we each have a different priority and capacity. So even though we walked the same path, our journey is completely our own.
We all follow Christ in the same way.
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (Paul said by way of admonition)
1 Corinthians 11:1
Little children know their Father. They are redeemed, forgiven and loved as beloved children (1 John 3:1). Fathers have known “Him who is from the beginning” (John 1:1, 1 John 1:1). They know the progressive experience of an unfolding relationship - full of its victories, failures, mistakes and commitments. This knowledge brings an elder Christian to the place of rest in His God. Young men are made strong by the Word of God and overcome the wicked one. The desire for victories is good and right because the energy of youth is the glorious gift of God.
All of us are on this journey toward maturity. Our sonship is being cultivated toward a full expression of Who He is in us. As His sons, each of us must accept where we are on the journey and press on from where we are to full maturity. Set your pace. As long as you don’t give up or turn back you will reach your goal.
“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26 ).
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6).
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.”
Acts 2:17
“I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.”
Psalm 37:25
Because you have known the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.”
1 John 2:13-14
Our maturity will determine the level of responsibility we are ready to bear.
When we are children, we are learning and growing with little expectation placed on us beyond our development. It is only as we get older that expectations become more of a priority as we learn to develop character. When we are older, having lived our life consistently in one direction, we find our rest in the knowledge of Him.
“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:14-16).
When my children were young, we would backpack into the Jefferson Wilderness. My older children, full of energy, the desire for adventure and wanting to prove who was the strongest, would rush on ahead. My youngest could not travel as fast. As his father, I set my pace alongside his. I could have travelled faster, but I had less to prove and a greater responsibility for the safety of all my children. The difference between fathers and sons is that fathers do not compete with sons as brothers do with one another. Fathers attempt to help everyone finish the journey well.
Each of us travels the same path. But, we each have a different priority and capacity. So even though we walked the same path, our journey is completely our own.
We all follow Christ in the same way.
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (Paul said by way of admonition)
1 Corinthians 11:1
Little children know their Father. They are redeemed, forgiven and loved as beloved children (1 John 3:1). Fathers have known “Him who is from the beginning” (John 1:1, 1 John 1:1). They know the progressive experience of an unfolding relationship - full of its victories, failures, mistakes and commitments. This knowledge brings an elder Christian to the place of rest in His God. Young men are made strong by the Word of God and overcome the wicked one. The desire for victories is good and right because the energy of youth is the glorious gift of God.
All of us are on this journey toward maturity. Our sonship is being cultivated toward a full expression of Who He is in us. As His sons, each of us must accept where we are on the journey and press on from where we are to full maturity. Set your pace. As long as you don’t give up or turn back you will reach your goal.
“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26 ).
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6).
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.”
Acts 2:17
“I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.”
Psalm 37:25
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting