Dr Paul Allen

by Robb Brunansky  As we covered last time, 1 John 2:12-14 is, in my opinion, one of the most pastoral passages in the entire New Testament. John affirms that his readers are those who have eternal life, distinguishing between spiritual maturity and salvation, and directing all believers to grow spiritually. John tenderly comes alongside those who are younger in the faith – those who are less mature, comforting them by reassuring them that their lack of maturity is not a sign of a lack of salvation. John gave us three groups by which we can evaluate where we are spiritually, where we need to go, and how we get there – Spiritual Children, Young Men, and Fathers.  Today, we will look at the first group, spiritual children. We all begin the Christian life as spiritual children, as John notes in verses 12 and 13. Spiritual children are typically those who are newly converted. This phrase has no reference to your physical age. If you were converted at 5 or 50 years old, then you were a spir