I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write 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 2:13–14
John says “you know him” twice to the fathers. The repetition is intentional. The distinguishing mark of spiritual maturity is not activity. It is intimacy.
He does not commend the fathers because they have memorized the most Scripture, led the most Bible studies, served the longest, or accomplished the most. He simply says, “You know Him.”
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed: “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Maturity is knowing Him.
A season comes in the Christian life when our fascination with doing slowly gives way to delight in simply being with Christ. We still serve. We still obey. We still labor. But beneath it all is a joy that says, “I know Him.”
The greatest evidence of spiritual maturity is not our accomplishments. It is that Christ is precious to us.
Father, thank You for patiently revealing Yourself through every season of life. Guard us from measuring maturity by activity alone. Deepen our delight in knowing You. May service always flow from intimacy, and may our greatest joy be found simply in walking with Christ.
Captivated by Christ,
eep
