From Deuteronomy through the Epistles, scores of Bible verses describe believers as being a child of God. In John 13:33, Jesus called his followers “little children.” It’s more than a term of endearment, and it doesn’t allude to being young in the faith. The phrase “little children” links our life to our position in Christ and what it enables us to do.
John used the same term in 1 John 4:4. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome [conquered, prevailed over, subdued] them [those who don’t confess Jesus as Christ], because the One in you is greater than the one in the world.” That’s powerful stuff!
The Bible talks about persevering and overcoming—but as a child of God. It doesn’t say as an “adult of God.”
Yet other Bible verses such as Colossians 1:28 and 4:12 talk about becoming fully mature in Christ. In those verses, “mature” refers to reaching the consummation of an end-goal. The Greek word is the root of our word for “telescope.”
So how can we be children and mature at the same time?
I’ll be honest with you. The older I get, the less I feel I know. I’ve been a Christian for fifty years, yet I still feel like a child in my walk with Him.
Does that mean I’m doing something wrong?
Maybe you’ve had a thought or two like that. If so, I hope what follows helps you sort this apparent paradox.
God gives us Himself and His Word so we can discern truth from lies. God grows our faith so we can learn to trust Him more. Both are part of maturing in Christ.
Yet God bids us come to Christ as children—totally dependent on Him for all our needs. That never changes (unless we delude ourselves into thinking we’re self-sufficient).
Children have unwavering faith in what they believe in. So should we. Children are full of wonder at every “first” they experience: seeing the sky, feeling grass between their toes. We should approach God with similar wonder and awe.
But it’s dangerous to have the perspective of a child. Young children can’t discern fact from fiction. 1 Corinthians 13:11 (BSB) says, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways.”
So how does one reconcile being a child vs being mature? IMO, it’s the difference between how we view and interact with God versus how we view and interact with the world.
When we mix up the two, we get into trouble. Dealing with God through an earthly lens instead of His heavenly perspective never works well.
We grow up in our faith, but we never outgrow being a child of God. The former is a goal; the latter is our identity.
Yes, we should remain in wide-eyed holy wonder of Him. More important, we need to keep going back to Him. To depend wholly on Him as young children look to their earthly fathers for all their needs. Only in that childlike reliance can we experience a hallowed rhythm and intimacy with God. Only then can He transform us into all He intends for us to be.
So keep going back to Him again and again. Go back to Him in joy and in pain. Go back to Him when you want to do anything BUT that. In total trust, climb into His lap. No matter what your age, you’re too small—too “young”—to see things from God’s greater perspective where everything makes sense. With complete conviction, know that He always hears you and acts on your behalf, even when you don’t understand His ways. Amen!
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BONUS
Sink into these verses about being a child of God. Which one speaks to you the most? Write it down and carry it with you throughout this week. May it bless you greatly!
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