GROW UP INTO HIM

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."  (1 John 3:2,3).

Scripture declares that we are now the sons of God.  Sonship is not a state that we must earn, wait for, or work toward.  When a male child is born or adopted into a family, he becomes a son immediately.  He does not become more "son-ish," or more "sonny," over time; he is already 100% a son from the beginning.  What is not clear, however, is what that son will become.  It does not yet appear what he shall be once he is fully mature.  It is apparent then, that as sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, we must grow up and mature. 

It is natural for every living thing to go through a state of growth; and when this does not occur, then we know something is amiss.  As Christians, we must understand that it is not a normal state for us to remain spiritually immature.  We are admonished to, "be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"  (Ephesians 4:14,15). 

Our goal is not merely to grow in Bible knowledge, but to gain an intimacy with the Savior.  As we spend time with Christ, our character is transformed by His presence in our lives. The more we sit at His feet and drink in the Living Water of His Word, the more we grow into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). 

The question is: are we different people today than we were when we first accepted Christ?  I don't mean, "Are we more religious?"  Religion only manages to make us more the children of hell than we were before we got it!  The Jews were religious when they rejected and crucified the Savior.  Paul was religious when he rounded up Christians to have them slaughtered.  The Catholic church was religious when it carried out the inquisition and murdered countless of God's children.  The Muslims are religious when they strap bombs to their chests and blow themselves and fellow human beings to pieces.  It is our religion that causes all the division that we see among God's children today.  Again, the question is: are we becoming more Christ-like?  When we are cursed, do we bless?  When we are rejected for Christ's sake, do we rejoice?  When we are hated, do we love?  When we are crushed, is the fragrance of the rose released, or some vile stench?  Little by little, we should be changing into the likeness of Christ.  This is the normal Christian experience.  What God begins, He intends to finish.  He has given us the power to become the sons of God.  His intention is that we receive that power and grow into mature, responsible sons and daughters of our heavenly Father by faith. 

How do we ensure that we will grow normally?  "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."  (1 Peter 2:1-3).  Feed on God's Word, and believe what you read.  Apply it to your life.  Don't lean on your own understanding, or try to reason why you can't live the way God is asking you to.  Simply obey what He says, and allow God to iron out the details.  God is faithful.  What He promises, He is more than able to perform.  Remember that Jesus Himself is the key of knowledge.  When you read the Bible, don't just accumulate facts, but seek to see Jesus revealed in the scriptures. 

Also, remember to "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."  (2 Peter 3:18).  It is not a matter of our own works.  We cannot add one inch to our stature.  Salvation is the gift of God, by His grace.  If we are willing and obedient, we will be blessed; but if we refuse and rebel, we will reap only trouble in our lives. 

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."  (John 1:12,13).