John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

This is at the very core of the proclamation of the Gospel. We can get all theological about lots of stuff, but along with John 3:16, this verse answers the question of what’s in it for me. I’m very thankful that God prompted John to write a fourth account of the life of Jesus in his old age, even though three others were circulating fairly widely by that point. Strong and reasonable tradition tells us that John was the youngest of the 12 apostles, and thus was perhaps the most impressionable. He was one of Jesus’ closest three, with his brother James and Peter, and so saw and heard more than some of the others. It occurs to me that he may also have been the target of some resent­ment, that a young teenager would be given such a position. That, along with Paul’s instructions to Timothy not to let anyone despise him for his youth, (1 Timothy 4:12) should be ammunition against anyone who tries to say “You’re too young to serve God” to anyone. At the same time, we need to remember that John was a God-seeker even before he met Jesus, and was a disciple of John the Baptist. A teenager who is self absorbed isn’t likely to be ready for serious ministry, but getting involved in ministry has opened the eyes of many a teenager. Getting back to the verse here, it’s important to remember that believing in Christ makes us children of God, not instant adults. Anyone who is a child of God knows more of Him than any scholar who treats God as just an academic subject, but that does not mean instant maturity, much less perfection. Children grow; that’s one of their significant characteristics. We need to remember that about ourselves, as well as about those around us, and both receive and give grace and encouragement for growing maturity.

Of all the people in the Bible, other than Jesus Himself, I have always felt most liking for John. I would like to be an “apostle of love!” My initial commitment to Christ was certainly at a young age, but by the time I was a young adult it was badly marred by conceited pride that made me anything but a true disciple. However, God in His grace called me to account and allowed me to repent, and that has made all the difference. From my current perspective I can look back and shake my head over past immaturity, foolishness, and even rebel­lion, but that doesn’t mean I’ve “arrived” even yet. I’m still a child of God! I must never think my years or experience put me in a position to look down on anyone, but rather reach out to and encourage those who are walking some of the same paths I did. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) My heart’s desire is that many would believe and so be born into God’s family, and I am to be a good older brother to as many as do so.

Father, thank You for this reminder, even as I am dealing with people of all levels of maturity. Keep me from thinking that I’m the definition of maturity! Thank You for the one who’s been receiving ministry by telephone the past few days. I ask You to keep him moving toward You, and not be whipped around by the lies of the enemy. I could name many specific people, but You know them all, and You know how we need to grow far better than I do. Help us all keep growing indeed, even as we encourage others to believe and so be born into Your family as well, so that Your house may be full and You may be pleased, and glorified above all. Thank You. Hallelujah!