Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Spiritual Adolescents

Reading: 1 John 2:12-14

Key Verse: “I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you dear children, because you have known the Father.” verse 13

When John wrote his first letter he named three distinct groups of people; children, young men and fathers. We could regard these not as physical ages but as spiritual stages. As we grow spiritually we move from the baby stage to a child and then an adolescent before finally becoming a parent ourselves. This is another parallel of truth.

In Titus 2:4-6 adolescent men and women are under training to be self-controlled, pure and hard working. Adolescents are advancing to adulthood, leaving childhood and childish ways behind to embrace greater levels of responsibility and achievement. David was only a youth when he defeated Goliath and inspired the army to advance against the Philistines and overcome them. The fact that we are “young” does not mean that we cannot do great things for God. In fact sometimes the reverse is true – because we are young, enthusiastic and energetic we can lead and inspire others to spiritual advance.

Paul wrote to Timothy, the pastor at Ephesus, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Tim. 4:12 (NLT) 

Prayer: Lord, I pray for young people in the church to be examples of love, faith, purity and enthusiasm