To: Hebraic-Foundations@egroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date sent: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 11:44:17
Subject: HF012 - The Maturing Believer
Hebraics,
This is a twelfth Bible study entitled 'The Maturing Believer.'
We find several places in the new covenant that speak to the
issues of maturing in a believer's live. For example Paul said of the
Corinthian Church, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to
spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ."
(1Co3:1) The word for infant here is 'nepios' and speaks of a small
child above the age of an infant, probably around the age of three or
four years old.
Paul later uses this same term, in saying, "When I was a child
(nepios), I use to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a
child; when I became a man (aner), I did away with childish
(nepios) things." (1Co13:11 - 'Aner' is an adult male at the age of
marriage.)
There are several places in the new covenant writings where a
stress is placed on becoming a mature believer. There is only one
place that appears to give the various stages of growth in a
believer's life. It is this portion of Scriptures we will draw from in this
Bible study.
John said, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so
that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1John2:1)
Then John follows up with the descriptions of the age patterns for
believers. He says,
"I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been
forgiven you for His name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am
writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil
one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I
have written to you fathers, because you know 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 evil one."
While John does not list these levels of maturity in the order they
would be found, he does give the levels. He also gives the dominate
trait that is found at each level.
Without being too technical, here are the Greek words in the order
of the natural progression in spiritual maturity.
(1) "Little children." - The term is 'teknoin.' This word has
extensions of meanings, but in the New Testament it is always
used affectionately. Technically it is a nursery term for very small
children.
(2) "Children." - The term is 'paidion.' This reflects on a young boy
or girl who is older than teknoin. Possibly pre-adolescence.
(3) "Young men." - The term is "neaniskos." This is a young man
who is beyond the age of puberty, but usually before marriage.
(4) "Fathers." - The term is 'pater.' This term is used for a male
parent.
At this point it is important to note the characteristic trait that John
places with each age of spiritual maturity. Understand this and you
will have insight into spiritual grown patterns. There are other terms
that could be brought in, but we are going to stay with John for the
present study. (There is an 'at the breast' level, but John doesn't
include it in his writing here.)
(Caps are for emphasis only.)
The LITTLE CHILDREN stage is the beginning of our journey. Little
children need unconditional acceptance and affection. Their world
revolves around parentage. What is the word to the little children? "I
am writing toyou, little children, because your sins have been
forgiven you for His name's sake." (Vs1 and vs12.)
For a new believer there is no greater need. This is the age where
the pastor and those who helped birth him or her into the kingdom
must be very cautious to seeing to their care. (They are easily
offended. They live strongly by their emotions. Their security is the
parent. They identify salvation with the Church they attend.)
The CHILDREN stage is the next natural progression where the
believer begins to learn the authority of the father. Here love is
coupled with discipline. It is at this stage where the believer learns
that he can no longer get by with things he use to get by with.
Each change in maturity level brings its own difficulties. The level
of discipline that is required depends greatly on the child himself.
What the child is now learning is the that the world doesn't revolve
around him. Every little whimper doesn't bring, "That's alright
honey." The child has to learn that there are consequences to bad
behavior. This is often the age where believers experience the
greatest difficulty in transition. (Feelings get hurt. Think they know
more than they actually know, etc.)
But what is the purpose behind this changing time? Hebrews
12:11, says, "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful,
but sorrowful; ye to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it
yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." The training produces
the proper way of living the Christian life. The walk of righteousness
is a walk of righteousness, peace, and joy.
The YOUNG MAN stage is where the believer becomes an
overcomer. He has learned that the true walk of faith consist of
taking a stand on the Word of Truth, and not on his emotions. The
character trait of this level is 'overcoming!' John said, "I have written
to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God
abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one." (Vs14)
Finally we have the FATHERS. This is the 'deepening' of God. The
fathers don't just know that their sins have been forgiven. They are
deeply acquainted with 'Him who has been from the beginning."
(Vs14)
This may sound like a peculiar statement, but it has to do with the
Person of Jesus Himself. Whenever John uses the term 'from the
beginning,' he has the mystery of the Messiah and of God's Eternal
Word in view. But the mature factor has to do with understanding.
The word 'know is 'ginosko' and speaks of personal acquaintance.
It relates to understanding and perception. The fully mature believer
perceives things as they really are. This is the highest level of our
spiritual life. This knowing that is the crown of a believer's life.
Again we have to use caution. This level of 'knowing' the Lord is the
goal of the Spirit's work in our lives. It is not simply for an select
few. Perhaps this is why Jesus said,
"I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have
hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed
them to infants (nepios). Yes, Father, for this way was well-
pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by
My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does
anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the
Son wills to reveal Him." (Matt11:25-27)
Jesus customarily uses the term 'nepios' as a term of endearment,
but not necessarily as a level of maturity. It should go without
saying that every child of God knows God as his or her father.
John's reference to the father level of maturity has more to do with
understanding and insight.
Let me add a remark or two in bringing this study to a close. First
of all, all believers know the Lord on the spiritual level where they
are. For this reason most of us tend to think we know God better
than we really do. We just haven't advanced in our 'knowing'
experience yet. This is why we get so adamant in doctrinal debates.
But knowing God is not a doctrine. It is an experience of the heart.
And this is why all believers need to keep an humble heart when it
comes to discovering the things of the Lord.
Can we get to know God better? Oh, what a foolish question. Yes,
indeed, we can get to know the heart of God better and better all
the time. This is what spiritual growth is all about. And this is what
Paul has in mind when he encourages us on to maturity.
Paul said, "Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature;
a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who
are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the
hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our
glory." (1Co2:6,7)
Then Paul says something that is so often misquoted and
misunderstood. He speaks of the things which have never entered
the heart of man. The misunderstanding comes from projecting this
to, 'when we all get to heaven.' This is not what Paul is referencing.
Paul is speaking of the new covenant experience, where the Holy
Spirit takes the things of Christ and then presents them to us. A
little reading of the context will reveal this to be true.
Perhaps I've said enough for now. The study is open for discussion.
There is a Greek word that I did not present in the study, however,
and it is extremely valuable. It is the word 'epignosis.' This is the
word Jesus used when He rejoiced, and spoke of only He 'knowing'
the Father, and the Father 'knowing' Him.
If you want to see this word used with regard to our experience, go
to 2 Peter 1:2.3. (Enough for now.)
Shalom in Christ,
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org