Daily Devotional
Grow Into Spiritual Maturity
“I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.”
1 John 2:12
April 19, 2024
Ponder This
When people become newborn babes in Christ, what does that look like? They are thrilled at knowing Jesus. They bless God that their sins are forgiven, buried in the grave of God’s forgetfulness. They have all tomorrows, and no yesterdays, and they are thrilled.
But the little child lives in the realm of his feelings. He is just thrilled with everything. He hasn’t lost the wonder yet. And it’s wonderful to be a little child. Maybe you’re a little child. Maybe you’ve been saved in the last year, in the last six months, or just last week, and you just can’t get over it. All your sin, not in part, but the whole, has been forgiven. And you rejoice in forgiven sin. Even though little children are wonderful, we don’t want them to stay little children. We want them to grow out of the habits of a child such as selfishness, laziness, and rudeness. A child needs to develop and become an active contributor to society. You need to grow in maturity, out of childish ways, and deeper into maturity in Christ.
- What can you do to keep the wonder of childhood, that joy in knowing you’re forgiven, but continue to grow in your faith?
- What are some roadblocks you face as you seek to grow in maturity in Christ?
Practice This
Pray for those in spiritual infancy to grow into maturity in Christ.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
