Growth over purity (edited by ChatGPT)

 

John, the disciple of the Lord, said, "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not tell the truth" (1 John 1:6). He further added, "He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:4). The question is: who can keep the commandments of the Lord except the Lord Himself? Does John mean we should not sin? But then John also says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).

 

We will never stop sinning because we will never be Jesus—ever. Even the angels of heaven are not perfect; that is why the only truly holy being is God. Yet, we should live in the light, not in darkness. There is darkness within us and around us—our flesh, accustomed to the ways of this earth, is our darkness. The devil tempts us from the outside, the earthly structures surrounding us are darkness, but the Holy Spirit is the light within us.

 

The Holy Spirit guides us to all truth, but it does not make us 100% truthful at the moment of encounter. Transformation begins at that point, but we are given only what we can handle at the time. Slowly, step by step, the Holy Spirit shapes us into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the process of spiritual growth. Over time, we come to know God better, and in doing so, we are changed.

 

In this process, we are born again, but we are not completely transformed. Our flesh and our earthly nature are nailed to the cross, but they are still alive in us. If we walk in the light and live in the light—meaning we are not only obedient to the Holy Spirit but also growing spiritually into the likeness of Jesus—then we will not dwell in darkness. The life of the Lord will begin to reflect in us. As we progress, the fruits of the Spirit will manifest in our lives.

 

Here is where many of the faithful struggle to understand faith itself. People see the world in black and white—holy people versus sinful people. They then create a checklist of sins they deem abominable, condemning those who commit them while elevating those who abstain. Just like the Pharisees of old, they focus on the appearance of faith rather than its essence.

 

Some of us are truthful, honest, and honorable in character. Jesus can easily grow these qualities in us, but perhaps we struggle with loving our enemies because we like to fight back. Does that mean we are not His? Our standard of judgment is flawed. What we should examine is not a person’s perfection, but whether they are growing in virtue and improving in their struggles. The real question is: Is there growth toward Jesus?

 

Some of us are good in many areas but struggle with pride. Can we say that because someone is proud, they do not belong to God? A domesticated lion cannot suddenly become a house cat. If a proud lion is slowly learning humility, it is more holy than the static humility of a timid creature. If a lion stops attacking, that is a start—we should nurture that growth instead of condemning its proud demeanor. The lion has lived as a lion all its life; change takes time. Instead of criticizing its prideful stance, let us encourage and guide it toward greater humility. Anything else is hypocrisy.

 

Some of us have sharp tongues because we spent years speaking in the trash heaps of life. Even after transformation, our rough edges remain, though they soften over time. However, with the right provocation—sometimes even orchestrated by those who claim to be of God—old habits may resurface. Does this mean such a person lacks faith? Who among us is without sin or failure? Hypocrisy thrives when we judge others without acknowledging our own weaknesses. The blood of the old Pharisees runs through us when we condemn others while ignoring our own sins. If we are to have any hope of entering the kingdom of heaven, we must surpass the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

 

Some of us have an unhealthy attachment to money. We may be honest, kind, and loving, yet still struggle with materialism. Does this make us abominable? If we grew up with that mindset, even after being born again, we will not instantly become like Barnabas, who sold everything to follow the Lord in poverty. For some, money is not their greatest temptation—perhaps pride is—but for others, wealth is their stumbling block.

 

What we should examine is not whether a person has completely conquered their struggles, but whether they are growing in the right direction. Is the sharp tongue becoming gentler? Is the love of money diminishing while generosity increases? Is the proud heart becoming more accommodating over time? Anything else is the delusion of hypocrites who demand instant perfection.

 

Our transformation is like growing up—what once seemed enjoyable becomes childish. A butterfly once crawled in the dirt, but after its wings emerged, it sought flowers instead. So it is with the faithful. We do not abandon sinful habits to please others, but because they no longer bring joy. We do not stop listening to worldly music because someone told us to, but because it sounds empty. We do not stop chasing wealth and power because we were rebuked, but because they lose meaning as we grow. The transformation of nature is the real work of the Holy Spirit.

 

It is about our heavenly nature overcoming our earthly one to make us new beings. Slowly, we change, just like growing up and seeing the world differently. The games we once played as children no longer amuse us. Likewise, spiritual maturity makes what once seemed enjoyable feel childish. We once sang foolish songs that made no sense, but as we grew, our taste matured. We once danced in ways that now seem senseless. We once delighted in immature things, but one day, they lose their appeal. We begin to desire something greater—something eternal. When we are young, we may enjoy songs about fleeting love, rebellion, or materialism, even if they do not reflect our true lives. But as we grow spiritually, our desires and expressions shift toward the wisdom of heaven.

 

Since no one except Jesus is perfect, the real question is not whether we are flawless but whether we are growing. Let us create an environment where the proud can learn humility, the thief can earn honestly, the liar can speak truth, and the power-hungry can serve the weak. Let us help each other grow instead of expecting non-existent perfection. Nobody is perfect except God.

 

Faith has a center and a periphery. The center must be purer than the periphery. Jesus purified His disciples before sending them out. His light shone brightly through them, just as the Father’s light shone through Him. The more central a person is to the mission of the kingdom, the purer they must be. That is why those called to be leaders in the assembly of the faithful must be more refined than those on the outskirts. If you desire to work for God, especially in the future, your foolishness must be left behind. Jesus took time to refine His disciples, just as He did with David—for Jesus is the root of David.