Stages Of Our Christian Life

In our every day life we grow in stages. No one is born an adult, but grow up from an infant and slowly mature into adulthood. The things that we want at the age 3 are not the things we want at 13, and the things we want at 20 are not the things we want at 40, and so on. How many marry at a tender age, and after many years discover that the one they married then is not the one they would have married now.  It’s like the father who saw his studious teenaged son being rejected by a young pretty teenaged girl, and it saddened him deeply. Then he thought and said to son, when this young girl gets to be my age, she will be looking for a man like you, and won’t be able to find you.

In like manner are the stages of a Christian’s life. No one is baptized into the body of Christ an adult, but are babes in Christ. Slowly one grows up in the faith, and mature by much study and application to God’s Word. Eventually, they are able to discern between both good and evil, and are able to teach and instruct others by God’s Word, their example, and their deeds. Let us examine these stages in more detail.

New Born Babe In Christ

It was the apostle Peter who wrote, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” 1 Peter 2:1-2 Young Christians are in earnest desire of milk and not strong meat, for if they devoured strong meat they would choke to death. It was Paul who wrote, “I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” 1 Cor 3:1-3 Therefore it is imperative when one is baptized into Christ that preachers and teachers, elders and deacons shelter the very young in the fold of God against the wolves of false false teachers and their doctrine. It is enough at this moment in time that they learn the simple things of the Word and slowly learn to walk in the faith. Let them get their feet wet by leading their first public prayer, lead singing, and  waiting on the Lord’s table. Let them receive encouragement from all the mature members who are in advance stages of Christianity. As Jesus said, “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:2

Young Studious Christian

As a Christian advances in the knowledge of God’s Word, they will mature more in the Lord. It is in this stage that Paul wrote to a young Timothy. He instructed Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine…. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Tim 4:12-16 Again he said, “Be diligent (study) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 Paul instructed Timothy that the scriptures are able to make him wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 3:15 This is a very imperative stage of being a Christian for if it is neglected, they can be lead astray, or even worse, lead others astray. Until one has learned fully the Word of truth, they can’t be trusted to teach God’s holy Word unto others. The Hebrew writer said, “Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Heb 5:12-14

Mature Productive Christian

A mature Christian is a beautiful stage to witness, for it is God’s Word being placed into action. This is the time that a Christian puts on the whole armor of God to take a stand against evil. Eph 6:11-18 It is in this stage men become preachers and teachers of the Word of God. Paul said to Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 2 Tim 4:2 “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Tim 4:5 A mature Christian is able to prove God’s Word by the Word. 1 Thess 5:21 They are set for the defense of the gospel. Philip 1:15-18 They are able to convert and save that which is lost. Jam 5:19,20 f; 1 Tim 4:16 They are ready to give an answer to anyone who asks them a reason for the hope that is in within them, with meekness and fear.1 Peter 3:15 They earnestly contend for the faith. Jude 3 Qualified Christian men are prepared to become elders and deacons of the church. 1 Tim 3:1-13 They are ready to defend the church against false teachers, and give guidance to fellow Christians like no other. Acts 20:28 It is a faithful saying that the churches of Christ have few of these men, as Jesus said, “The harvest is truly plenty but the labors are few.” Mt 10:37 Churches with weak elders have weak members. Therefore, if elders are not apt to teach or lead the church according to God’s Word, the members under them will soon perish, for a servant is not greater than his teacher. Mt 10:24

Aged Wise Christian

The final stage of a Christian’s life is important to the church. It is the stage that they pass on to the younger generations the wisdom which they have gained in service to the Lord. Aged Christian women will impart to younger women to, “love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Titus 2:4-5 Honor faithful Christian women who have submitted herself to her own husband and family, and to the elders of the church. Paul said, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Tim 4:6-8 It is imperative for the church to be reminded that our ultimate goal in life is not to live forever here on earth, but to live with God forever in the life to come. Many aged preachers will step down from the pulpit and begin to write, hold gospel meetings, and impart the wisdom and knowledge they have gained in service to the Lord. Some will begin to do even as Paul and train young Christian men to become preachers and teachers of the Word, and encourage others to become elders and deacons. It is the golden age of their Christianity and what they have to impart is not to be wasted and lost. Listen to them, glean from them, and honor them for their great service to the Lord and his Church.

Conclusion: The stages of a Christian’s life are vital to complete if the church is going to exist and thrive upon this earth. Strong churches begin with strong members who are progressing through the  stages of a Christian life. If you are a babe in Christ, take the time to listen and observe. If you are a young Christian take the time to study and learn. If you are a mature Christian be ready to preach, teach and lead. If you are an aged Christian be willing to impart to others the wisdom you have gleaned during your service to the Lord. Whatever stage you are in, remember this, the ultimate goal is to save yourself, and secondly to save others. Blessed are they who care for your soul, and those who sacrifice their precious life that others might have an opportunity for eternal life. Heb 13:7,17