The Bible refers to believers as “children of God” to emphasize a relationship of dependence, trust, and humility, rather than calling them “adults” in a way that suggests self-sufficiency. Jesus taught that to enter the kingdom of heaven, one must become “like a little child,” focusing on qualities like trust and humility rather than the negative aspects of childish immaturity.
Children as a model for faith
- Trust and dependence: Just as a child trusts and depends on a parent, a believer is meant to trust and depend on God. The Bible portrays this relationship as one where God provides for His followers.
- Humility and sincerity: Jesus used a child as an example of humility, stating that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is one who humbles himself like a child. This involves a sincere and receptive attitude towards God’s truth.
- Maturity and spiritual growth: While the relationship is described as “childlike,” this is not an endorsement of immaturity or foolishness. Instead, it highlights the importance of a spiritual state of humble faith. The Bible also speaks of a need for spiritual maturity, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2, where the Apostle Paul tells believers they are “babes in Christ” and need to grow.
“Adults” in a biblical context
- Age-based distinctions: The Bible does make a distinction between children and adults based on age for certain purposes, like military service and census-taking, where the age of 20 was a significant marker.
- Maturity in faith: The concept of an “adult” in a spiritual sense refers to someone who has achieved spiritual maturity, not necessarily an older age.
- A relationship of the heart: The metaphor of being a “child of God” is a powerful way to describe the human relationship with the divine, emphasizing love, guidance, and inheritance, rather than self-sufficiency.
For many Christians, feeling like a grown-up in their faith is not a single moment, but a process of maturing spiritually, which involves taking personal responsibility for their relationship with God, understanding the weight of their sin, and living out their faith through actions rather than just words. This often happens as a person moves beyond childhood understanding and begins to actively apply faith to their own life.
- Accepting personal responsibility: A key step is moving from seeing faith as a family or childhood duty to a personal, adult commitment. This can involve a moment of realization that “it’s not just about what my parents believe” and that they must actively choose to follow Christ for themselves.
- Grasping the weight of sin: Many realize the gravity of their sin, not just intellectually, but in a way that deepens their understanding of Christ’s sacrifice. This often involves a turning point where they confess their own sins and stop relying on self-righteousness.
- Demonstrating spiritual maturity: Feeling like a grown-up in faith can be tied to exhibiting characteristics of spiritual maturity, such as “watching your words,” praying with a wider perspective, and responding to rebuke with receptivity. It can also manifest as doing what is right “for its own sake,” rather than just to please God or avoid punishment.
- Living a life of service: This can be a powerful indicator of maturity. It may involve a desire to serve in a church or community, give generously, and let their life reflect the “fruit of the Spirit,” which includes love, joy, patience, kindness, and self-control.