Powerful Scriptural Triads - Part 5

"Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.' (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, 'Follow me.' " - John 21:18-19 ESV

A newly converted person believes but has an identity and a motivation based on self. They wear the fashion that they identify with.

Age, or spiritual maturity, bring in a triune mindset where we worship and find ourselves carried into a different identity that isn't self oriented.

Jesus was talking to Peter and at this point Peter was very young and unstable but many things would happen in Peter's life and in the end, Peter became a mature grace believer who wasn't living in self-preservation. Church history tells us that Peter was martyred. We can imagine that this passage likely had great significance to the early Church because of it's prophetic content. We have the option of growing in maturity because of it. We can lift up our arms in worship and follow Christ today. We can wear the pure identity He gives us as heirs, sons and ministers of reconciliation. We can wait on God and be moved by His Spirit into situations and glorify God as we pick up our cross.

As I was meditating on this passage I remembered Watchman Nee's commentary on Ephesians 'Sit, Walk, Stand'. Being clothed is sitting in our 'position'.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth." - Ephesians 1:3-10 ESV

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus," - Ephesians 2:4-6 ESV

Yes. Then we walk and stand in Christ because we now follow Him and wear an identity derived from what He says about us.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." - Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," - Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV

Being young isn't sinful per se. We all start out young but then hopefully we grow up. Jesus is who transforms us into maturity. We look to Him and follow Him and He becomes our life in very practical ways.

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