TRUTH . . . IS PROGRESSIVE

Two thousand years ago the apostle John recorded these words, 'I write to you little children because your sins are forgiven; I write to you young men because you have overcome the evil one; I write to you fathers because you know Him who was from the beginning'. Children, young men, fathers. It was obviously a male dominated society from which we have now escaped.

However, John had a right sense of progression. He knew there was nothing wrong with living comfortably at different stages of life. I am minded to say how sad it is that we have largely lost such an attitude, when children are now urged to grow old prematurely with all the havoc that ensues. Let them enjoy themselves is a plea from my heart!

The issue we are considering is that of maturity. It is a very healthy start for us to know that our independence from God is forgiven. I use that phrase because independence from a higher authority is the only real 'sin' in my book. Continuing through life as an infant, demanding instant gratification, has led to the crammed conditions in penal institutions, ever replenished with those who are a law unto themselves, who have never been lovingly taught otherwise. Instruction, unilateral forgiveness and total acceptance mark the pathway to willing submission, to learning a responsible way to live. Believing the world revolves around our individual life and that we can selfishly run our own show, leads to all kinds of childish mischief. Pride certainly does precede a fall. I've been there!

Then there are the many idealistic young people, all too ready to fight the evils of the world and that cannot be a bad thing. They are so often aware of injustice and so conclude a colossal simplistic battle between right and wrong. I spent a long time clambering among the branches of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil before I realised how inter-twined they were.

//Continued