Some truths never get old. Of course, all biblical truth falls in line with this assessment; however, Scripture we learned as young Christians should not be tucked away in our back pockets or relegated to the attic with our memorabilia and no-longer-used furniture. I am thinking of standard discipleship material that many of us learned in our early days of faith, particularly Psalm 119:9-13, as standard fare.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. (Ps. 119:9–11)

Every new believer should be trained in the basics of saving faith, assurance of salvation, prayer, witnessing, church attendance, and temptation. The aged apostle John wrote to newbie Christians about what was essential for the early stages of godly living:

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake … I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. (1 John 2:12, 13c)

Forgiveness of our sins and knowing God are foundational. Peter, also in his older years, challenged us to make knowing Christ a lifelong pursuit (2 Peter 3:18). Putting these two thoughts together, we can arrive at our own old age and understand what John wrote to “fathers,” that is, spiritually mature Christians:

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning … I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning … (1 John 2:13a, 14a)

In between is the robust, dynamic Christian life carrying on the work of the Lord, the life of those whom John calls “young men.” For them, the spiritual battle rages like Joshua in the valley fighting the enemies of God, while the senior Moses, in old age, was on the hilltop praying for him (Ex. 17:8-13). The apostle wrote:

… I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one … 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. (1 John 2:13b–14b)

 We need to constantly keep the Word of God abiding in our hearts, for that is the key to knowing God and overcoming our spiritual enemy, the evil one. If I desire to continually seek the Lord “with all my heart,” then I must follow David’s model and say, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” We teach this truth to new Christians, encouraging them to memorize Scripture as a way of treasuring God’s Word. We need to continue this practice throughout our lives so that we grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. This isn’t just kids’ stuff; it is essential to a dynamic, growing faith—even into old age!