Beyond Age: Living God's Will

Hot take that I’m willing to bet is rather undisputed:
I’ve seen believers as young as their 10’s and teens that have more faith, wisdom…dare I say maturity than a believer in their 70’s and 80’s. And it’s not even up for discussion! 

If this offends anyone, I’d encourage them to consider why…nevermind. I digress. I bring up this mildly disrespectful statement to make a primary point we’ll dive into in a bit, but let’s start with some unpacking. 

Keeping it simple, it’s hopefully easy to understand that our relationship with God begins with embracing the fundamental truth that our sins are forgiven. Amen! And this isn’t  just a message for children but for all believers, regardless of age or spiritual maturity. In 1 John 2:12, we are reminded that our sins are forgiven for His name's sake. This forgiveness is not a mere formality; it is the bedrock of our relationship with God. It allows us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that we are cleansed and accepted.

Knowing the Father goes beyond a surface-level acknowledgment. It’s not just believing. Many who don’t believe in “God” still believe there’s something out there. Also, remember the Bible says even demons believe! Jam. 2:19 It is an intimate understanding that shapes our entire being. This profound knowledge is what distinguishes mere belief from genuine faith. As believers, we must do all we can to know God. This depth of our knowing, our relationship is reflected in our actions, decisions, and the way we live our lives daily.

Spiritual Maturity and Overcoming Evil

Spiritual maturity is a key theme in the Christian journey. John addresses different groups within the faith—those who are God’s children, and they who are either mature and young in the faith—highlighting their unique roles and stages of them. Those who are mature in faith are recognized for their deep knowledge of Christ, who existed from the beginning. This maturity is not just about age but about the depth of their relationship with God and their understanding of His eternal nature.

For the young in faith, John commends their strength and victory over the evil one. This strength is not their own but comes from God's Word living in their hearts. Overcoming evil is a significant milestone in the journey of faith, and it demonstrates the power of God's Word and the resilience it builds within us. This victory is a testament to the transformative power of God's presence in our lives.

But wait…we didn’t say anything about the children…hold that thought. We’ll get there. For now, let’s talk about that good ol’ world.

Loving the Father, Not the World

John’s message is clear: do not love the world or the things in the world. The world, with its fleeting desires and temporary pleasures, cannot offer what the Father gives. The desires of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are all traps that lead us away from God. These are not from the Father but are from the world, which is passing away along with its desires.

The call to love the Father and not the world is a call to discernment. It is about recognizing what truly matters and choosing to invest in what is eternal. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with “things.” God created them. He created money which can serve us well. Remember it’s the love  of money that’s the root of all evil. Likewise, having things isn’t in and of itself wrong. The passage makes clear it’s when you add words like pride and craving that things begin to change. That’s when a little something called idolatry can, and will, manifest fam.

Doing the will of God ensures that we live forever, as opposed to the temporary satisfaction the world offers. This perspective shift is crucial for living a life that is pleasing to God and impactful in the kingdom.

Living Out God’s Will

Living out God's will is the ultimate expression of our faith. It goes beyond avoiding sin and encompasses actively doing what pleases God. Listen, I’m not saying avoiding sin is impossible but I find it interesting that no one save Jesus was able to do IN THE BIBLE!! And even if someone was, congrats!!! Way to go!! What else you got? That just can’t be it. If it was, then why did Jesus not stop at telling someone “go forth and sin no more?” Why did He then give us the commandment to go forth and make disciples?! Make it make sense. I’ll wait…I’m willing bet you didn’t waste your time. Thank you for that. Real spiritual maturity involves love, obedience, and a commitment to His commands. Deut. 30 is excellent for laying this out, and John emphasizes that knowing God and having our sins forgiven should lead to a transformed life as well—a life that reflects His love and grace.

In practical terms, doing God's will might look different for each of us, depending on our unique callings and circumstances. However, the underlying principle remains the same: our lives should be a testament to God's love and a reflection of His character. By living out His will, we not only secure eternal life for ourselves but also become conduits of His love and grace to others.

Now allow me to help us understand how we can access a proper mind and heart set to know God better and be our most obedient and committed selves. Let’s revisit the verses on children. Going back, a little deep dive reveals we miss a very key element. The “children” we read in v. 12 and 14 aren’t even the same word! Bible nerd, ACTIVATE!! v. 12 is the Greek word teknion- little child – a small child…endearing. John uses this one throughout the letter. (except in v. 18). However, the word used in v. 14 is paidion. This also means little child, but Helps Word Studies shows us when used properly it means a child under training; its root (pais) being a word that means young male/female slave/servant; thus, symbolically a servant of God. The ultimate here is found when you connect each word to its identifying sentence in the passage. Recall the first one, the endeared little children, are connected to those who’ve been forgiven on account of the name of Jesus. But the second, the child who’s in training…they are the one whom the passage says knows God. This is a comforting, yet awkward moment. It’s great to know as children of God that we are “endeared” because we’ve been forgiven, but to know Him we have to continuously be children willing to train?? I’ll give you a moment to reflect as we realize the answer is yes that our commitment to seeking Him is the only thing that expedites our call and purpose. Is it easy? No. Can it be done? Absolutely.

in CLosing

The journey of faith is marked by an ever-deepening knowledge of God, overcoming the challenges posed by the world, and living out His will with unwavering commitment. Age is indeed just a number when it comes to spiritual maturity and the pursuit of God's purposes. Whether we are young or old in the faith, our call is to grow in our relationship with God, reject the fleeting desires of the world, and live lives that glorify Him.

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church