The Beast

If one person has known God for a long time, does that make them somehow superior to someone who has just met God? Does the fact that one grew up in a Christian home make them any better than a friend who grew up without really knowing about God? The short answer is no.

If you have known God for longer than someone else, you might be more knowledgeable about God. You might have advice to share, and you probably have a better understanding of what the Bible has to say on different topics than someone who has just started reading the Bible.

On the other hand, if you have just recently come to God, you might have a greater appreciation for all that He has done for you because it is so fresh in your mind. As the years pass, we tend to take the gift of eternal life for granted because we have known about it for a long time. But someone who has just discovered the good news will be filled with joy because of what Jesus has done for them. When longtime Christians interact with someone who has just experienced the gospel for the first time, they can be reminded of just how good the good news really is! We get to share this joy as we remember and celebrate together that God saved us!

Longtime Christians might be more familiar with God because they have been talking to Him for a while. For example, they might have been aware that God was there for them when they were a young child in moments when they felt scared. As we talk to God more and more, our friendship with Him grows, and after a while we feel ready to talk to Him about anything.

A newer Christian might have a certain awe of God that leads so naturally to worship. While they’re just beginning to experience relationship with God, they might have a great respect and reverence for Him.

All are made equal when they come to God. A longtime Christian is not somehow better, and neither is someone who has just recently put their trust in Jesus. When Jesus hung on a cross, He saved a sinner on the cross next to Him who was about to die, and that person is just as saved as someone who has been in relationship with God since they were a toddler. • Emily Acker

• Have you ever felt like some Christians are more valuable than others, like some have a special place in the eyes of God? How might today’s Scripture passages speak into this?

• What are some reasons it might be important for new and longtime Christians to be in community with each other?

For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Eph.6.10-Eph.6.20|Col.1.12-Col.1.14|Jas.4.7-Jas.4.10