¹² I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name sake . . .

¹³I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

Some things in Scripture bear repeating, with subtle but significant differences. The apostle John’s change of tense in each case emphasizes that his ongoing teaching is consistent. What he is writing now is consistent with what he has taught in the past. “I am writing to you . . . [as] I have written to you.”

While it is the spiritual “fathers” (that is, older, more mature Christians) who are identified as knowing “the Father,” new believers know Him as well, although not to the same extent or depth. It is like the difference between a newly married couple who “know” each other with a newfound love versus a couple married for fifty years who have grown more deeply in their knowing and loving each other. The knowledge of God is at the core of our forgiveness, knowing Him in His love, grace, and mercy. While this knowledge is foundational, we must continually grow in this “knowing God.”

Too often, new believers move beyond this foundational truth too quickly. We might appropriate Jesus’ parable of the sower and the seed at this point (Matt. 13:18–23). A new believer must tend the soil of his life, so the seed of the knowledge of God will take full root and become spiritually productive. Diving into theological debates before one is solidly planted in his Christian walk is like the child trying to carry a suitcase that is too heavy for his age. When he is older, he will handle that weight just fine, but as a child, he is not able and will give up in frustration. Likewise, new believers should grow in the milk of the Word (see Heb. 5:12–14) before tackling the more complex theological issues.

When does one grow out of the “spiritual child” stage? John doesn’t answer that question. But just as we grow in our biological age, there is no clear-cut dividing line between childhood and adulthood. The adage might fit here, “If the shoe fits, wear it.” New or young believers need wise guidance from those older in the faith, who will guide them to follow the example of our Lord, who, as Luke records, “kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). We must help the new believers try not to move ahead too fast in ministry responsibilities, lest their roots remain shallow. Yet we should not hold them back too long, lest they stagnate in their growth. We should encourage them to cultivate the beginning knowledge of God, particularly in His attributes of forgiveness, love, grace, and mercy.

PRAYER: Lord, I desire to continue walking in and growing in my knowledge of You.