Mature Christians- Are mature Christians generally older in age?

I guess I need to explain my comments to the OP. My thinking goes like this: Sin causes death (Ro. 6:23). Not just eternal death in Hell but death of my fellowship with God, death of joy and peace, death of physical and psychological health, death of relationships. There are many kinds of death sin produces. In light of this, I do a brother or sister in Christ no kindness by making them feel easy in their sin. They are actually in great jeopardy and if I really love them as God does, I will do what I must - wound them, even ("faithful are the wounds of a friend" Prov. 27:6) - in order to spare them the death-bringing consequences of sin.

The forgiveness of sin does not come cheaply. God never turns a blind eye to sin. Every sin a person has or will commit was heaped upon Christ at Calvary. His blood was shed and his body was torn, pierced and bruised in atonement for our sin. Ought I, then, to treat my sin or the sin of others with lightness? This is not how the Scripture deals with those who know the Gospel and yet continue in sin:

Hebrews 10:26-30
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people."

Willful sin, sin that is committed under the knowledge of the terrible suffering and death of Christ in atonement for it, God hates. It tramples His Son underfoot, it treats Christ's atonement as a common thing, and insults the Spirit of grace. It is in light of this truth that I spoke as directly as I did to the OP. My goal wasn't to "kick him to the curb" but to show him the terrible seriousness of his sin. The modern Church has grown far too easy with sin, far too resigned to its constant occurrence. But as the apostle Peter pointed out, our sin fouls us awfully and returning to it is like a dog eating again what had already caused it to be sick. Do I want to accommodate such behaviour in any measure in my brothers and sisters in Christ? Not if I claim to really love them.

So, I hope you other posters who feel I have been a bit harsh to the OP can see that my motives were not to condemn and dismiss but to provoke to righteousness and to warn, not out of self-righteousness, but out of deep concern for the welfare of the OP.

aiki said:

I guess I need to explain my comments to the OP. My thinking goes like this: Sin causes death (Ro. 6:23). Not just eternal death in Hell but death of my fellowship with God, death of joy and peace, death of physical and psychological health, death of relationships. There are many kinds of death sin produces. In light of this, I do a brother or sister in Christ no kindness by making them feel easy in their sin. They are actually in great jeopardy and if I really love them as God does, I will do what I must - wound them, even ("faithful are the wounds of a friend" Prov. 27:6) - in order to spare them the death-bringing consequences of sin.

The forgiveness of sin does not come cheaply. God never turns a blind eye to sin. Every sin a person has or will commit was heaped upon Christ at Calvary. His blood was shed and his body was torn, pierced and bruised in atonement for our sin. Ought I, then, to treat my sin or the sin of others with lightness? This is not how the Scripture deals with those who know the Gospel and yet continue in sin:

Hebrews 10:26-30
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people."

Willful sin, sin that is committed under the knowledge of the terrible suffering and death of Christ in atonement for it, God hates. It tramples His Son underfoot, it treats Christ's atonement as a common thing, and insults the Spirit of grace. It is in light of this truth that I spoke as directly as I did to the OP. My goal wasn't to "kick him to the curb" but to show him the terrible seriousness of his sin. The modern Church has grown far too easy with sin, far too resigned to its constant occurrence. But as the apostle Peter pointed out, our sin fouls us awfully and returning to it is like a dog eating again what had already caused it to be sick. Do I want to accommodate such behaviour in any measure in my brothers and sisters in Christ? Not if I claim to really love them.

So, I hope you other posters who feel I have been a bit harsh to the OP can see that my motives were not to condemn and dismiss but to provoke to righteousness and to warn, not out of self-righteousness, but out of deep concern for the welfare of the OP.

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What did the OP say that you think that he has such a low value of sin?

I see him evaluating his own walk with God to see if he is where he should be? I've never met people who are so willing to look inward and evaluate self that have this low thought of sin.

Please explain.

WilliamBo said:

What I mean is, in your experience, are Christians that are really surrendered to Christ generally middle-aged and older

The reason I ask is because I found Christ 5 years ago in my early 20's and I get really concerned about my progress in righteousness and surrendering to God. I was in college at the time and I happened to make a close group of Christian friends and we were all on fire for Jesus, and they were all very mature spiritually while I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule.

Now, these friends of mine from college are the ONLY young people I have ever met that were spiritually mature like that... all the other mature people I've met have been in at least their 40's, usually even 50's and over. Does it usually take decades like that to be completely surrendered to God? Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff... I can't tell if I am being too hard on myself or what

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Everyone sins and continues to, study the bible and you'll know the truth.
Matthew chapter 4 verse 4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Romans chapter 1 verse 28
Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

John chapter 8 verse 31,32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, " If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
2 John
9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
Job chapter 23 verse 12
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Matthew 11
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Luke chapter 21
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Romans chapter 10
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Mark chapter 13
31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
James chapter 1
25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James chapter 4
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Isaiah chapter 45 verse 19
I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
Jeremiah chapter 9
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.
Jeremiah chapter 5 verse 1
5 “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and consider,
search through her squares.
If you can find but one person
who deals honestly and seeks the truth,
I will forgive this city.

My experience is that age isn't that much of a factor in spiritual maturity. Older people (or the chronologically advantaged) might be more in the habit of going to church and putting on their Sunday best. That may or may not translate in to an attitude of faith. It depends on the individual, as it does with younger people.

WilliamBo said:

What I mean is, in your experience, are Christians that are really surrendered to Christ generally middle-aged and older

The reason I ask is because I found Christ 5 years ago in my early 20's and I get really concerned about my progress in righteousness and surrendering to God. I was in college at the time and I happened to make a close group of Christian friends and we were all on fire for Jesus, and they were all very mature spiritually while I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule.

Now, these friends of mine from college are the ONLY young people I have ever met that were spiritually mature like that... all the other mature people I've met have been in at least their 40's, usually even 50's and over. Does it usually take decades like that to be completely surrendered to God? Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff... I can't tell if I am being too hard on myself or what

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Everything has its season... even the earth goes through periods of growth then decay, but growth comes again.

God alone knows when each of us will spiritually mature but honestly just that you ask the question and seemed concerned about it is a great sign!

I say seek him!

He is probably using these memories and feelings to draw you closer to himself.

Some people do mature in their elderly years, but that is not always the case. Scripturally speaking Timothy we know was a young man for Paul told him to not be discouraged because of his youth or be despised by it. Stephen was more than likely in his 20's or 30's when he was martyred. John the Apostle was probably no more than a late teen when he first met and followed Jesus (hence why he lived until about 92 AD)

Don't be discouraged and feel it is a waste of time if you can't mature until you are older. Ask God for wisdom, ask him to help you progress!

HereIStand said:

My experience is that age isn't that much of a factor in spiritual maturity. Older people (or the chronologically advantaged) might be more in the habit of going to church and putting on their Sunday best. That may or may not translate in to an attitude of faith. It depends on the individual, as it does with younger people.

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I have to remember that, that is good, the chronologically advantaged. I like it!

WilliamBo said:

What I mean is, in your experience, are Christians that are really surrendered to Christ generally middle-aged and older

The reason I ask is because I found Christ 5 years ago in my early 20's and I get really concerned about my progress in righteousness and surrendering to God. I was in college at the time and I happened to make a close group of Christian friends and we were all on fire for Jesus, and they were all very mature spiritually while I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule.

Now, these friends of mine from college are the ONLY young people I have ever met that were spiritually mature like that... all the other mature people I've met have been in at least their 40's, usually even 50's and over. Does it usually take decades like that to be completely surrendered to God? Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff... I can't tell if I am being too hard on myself or what

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It depends on your environment and stuff tbh. In my faith/church i'm a part of spiritual maturity at a young age is a norm. In fact my brother before he backslid displayed such maturity at 14 after being saved at 11 and it's norm for people to devote their lives to God at like 7 or so and somehow walking in spirit avoid tons of struggles with sin once they hit their teens.


Now I just said that to point out that age isn't really a factor it's more so experience, which is why to answer your question generally middle age and older display high levels of maturity and spiritual gifts/power. The reason being is usually people turn to God at an older age....and even if they are blessed turn to God and start preaching or doing something for God at a young age it's usually around my age not in their early teens or before. Therefore I won't reach leadership readiness (i'm a preacher/musician currently) for maybe idk at least 6 years and by then i'm already around 26 and out of college.

Generic maturity as in ability to discipline yourself and be holy=realistic to find in college aged individuals (18-25) just have to look i've found 4 guys I talk to on a normal basis that fit this criteria, one just finished a 3 day fast recently.

Leadership ready maturity= rare but based off personal experience you can find among saints who got saved around 7-15 years old because that gives you tons of years to experience and grow before you make it to college.



Lastly though when you say struggling with the same stuff is it sins or weights? If it's weights God's just simply waiting on you to give them up.

ToBeLoved said:

What did the OP say that you think that he has such a low value of sin?

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A low value of sin? I think rather that he values sin too highly! Why? Well, he wrote,

"I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule."

"I brought prescription drugs into the house that I was getting high on,"

This doesn't sound to me much like a person who has truly come to hate their sin and is genuinely battling against it.

"Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff..."

The OP has spent four more years yielding to the same sin. Again, this doesn't sound to me like someone dealing seriously with their sin - or their faith.

ToBeLoved said:

I see him evaluating his own walk with God to see if he is where he should be? I've never met people who are so willing to look inward and evaluate self that have this low thought of sin.

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Okay. Well, I see him differently. I have explained why. Am I allowed to see him as I do? Or must everyone take your view?

I see a man who knows to do good and is not doing it. I suspect this has a lot to do with simple ignorance of his faith. I'll bet he doesn't know well who he is in Christ or how to do battle spiritually. Most of all, though, I don't think he has yet deeply understood the love of God for him and come to love God more than his sin. When he has, conquering sin won't be the issue for him that it seems presently that it is.

WilliamBo said:

What I mean is, in your experience, are Christians that are really surrendered to Christ generally middle-aged and older

The reason I ask is because I found Christ 5 years ago in my early 20's and I get really concerned about my progress in righteousness and surrendering to God. I was in college at the time and I happened to make a close group of Christian friends and we were all on fire for Jesus, and they were all very mature spiritually while I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule.

Now, these friends of mine from college are the ONLY young people I have ever met that were spiritually mature like that... all the other mature people I've met have been in at least their 40's, usually even 50's and over. Does it usually take decades like that to be completely surrendered to God? Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff... I can't tell if I am being too hard on myself or what

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I think a good sign of being mature as a Christian is not only to be kind and loving usually, but also to be forgiving and quickly so, and to treat with fairness those that treat you unfairly.... So, that's something that is far easier I found when we are first doing what Christ instructed us is the "greatest commandment". See, most of us can do the golden rule pretty well when people are friendly or new, or neutral. It's when they act as if an enemy that a true test is happening.

It's great to have friends that also want to follow Christ, but it's good to know more and more of what He said and did, and we learn past the major famous passages not only small things like that He changed large vessels of water into wine for a wedding party, so that drinking wine in moderation is obviously fine, but also more profound things we haven't heard(!), even than the several you likely have learned already, and this is true for all, even those that have read carefully through the gospels already, because even then, as we get older, we are ready to learn more, that is awaiting us, in His words. We all hope we don't have to prove ourselves the way that Job did, but difficult times will come to most all, and then what Christ said in Matthew 7:24-27 is decisive for us.

WilliamBo said:

What I mean is, in your experience, are Christians that are really surrendered to Christ generally middle-aged and older

The reason I ask is because I found Christ 5 years ago in my early 20's and I get really concerned about my progress in righteousness and surrendering to God. I was in college at the time and I happened to make a close group of Christian friends and we were all on fire for Jesus, and they were all very mature spiritually while I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule.

Now, these friends of mine from college are the ONLY young people I have ever met that were spiritually mature like that... all the other mature people I've met have been in at least their 40's, usually even 50's and over. Does it usually take decades like that to be completely surrendered to God? Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff... I can't tell if I am being too hard on myself or what

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It can be really difficult not top compare ourselves to others. For some people it may take decades to mature, some a lot less. There is a young girl at my church who is very strong in her walk. The important thing is where your heart is. If you have a heart for God and seek Him, you will continue to mature. Try not to focus on how long it is taking and instead enjoy the journey. And remember no one comes out of the box perfect.

WilliamBo said:

What I mean is, in your experience, are Christians that are really surrendered to Christ generally middle-aged and older

The reason I ask is because I found Christ 5 years ago in my early 20's and I get really concerned about my progress in righteousness and surrendering to God. I was in college at the time and I happened to make a close group of Christian friends and we were all on fire for Jesus, and they were all very mature spiritually while I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule.

Now, these friends of mine from college are the ONLY young people I have ever met that were spiritually mature like that... all the other mature people I've met have been in at least their 40's, usually even 50's and over. Does it usually take decades like that to be completely surrendered to God? Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff... I can't tell if I am being too hard on myself or what

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Rabbi Yeshua - Jesus made about 120 gallons of wine in one of his miracles........
a group of people can certainly have a no alcoholic beverage rule... but it is best to not
try to teach that that is exactly what Rabbi Yeshua - Jesus taught.

In my opinion.... if you can handle the following writing.....
you may be more mature than you imagine.....

The Final Quest [English] Rick Joyner

WilliamBo said:

What I mean is, in your experience, are Christians that are really surrendered to Christ generally middle-aged and older

The reason I ask is because I found Christ 5 years ago in my early 20's and I get really concerned about my progress in righteousness and surrendering to God. I was in college at the time and I happened to make a close group of Christian friends and we were all on fire for Jesus, and they were all very mature spiritually while I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule.

Now, these friends of mine from college are the ONLY young people I have ever met that were spiritually mature like that... all the other mature people I've met have been in at least their 40's, usually even 50's and over. Does it usually take decades like that to be completely surrendered to God? Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff... I can't tell if I am being too hard on myself or what

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I'm not sure of what you mean by "very mature". When I was in college, and even before that, I knew Christians who were very devoted. A house with a "no alcohol" rule isn't surprising to me at all. I lived in one for a while. While that can be constructive in a college environment, setting yourselves apart from the people who go wild with alcohol, that is not enough to make a person what I would consider mature. Patience, showing respect, not gossiping, paying your share of the rent/bills on time, not stealing anything, resolving potential conflicts civilly rather than angrily or rudely, not having a power trip on anybody, taking responsibility for your actions and inactions - these are marks of maturity that are at least as important.

WilliamBo said:

What I mean is, in your experience, are Christians that are really surrendered to Christ generally middle-aged and older

The reason I ask is because I found Christ 5 years ago in my early 20's and I get really concerned about my progress in righteousness and surrendering to God. I was in college at the time and I happened to make a close group of Christian friends and we were all on fire for Jesus, and they were all very mature spiritually while I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule.

Now, these friends of mine from college are the ONLY young people I have ever met that were spiritually mature like that... all the other mature people I've met have been in at least their 40's, usually even 50's and over. Does it usually take decades like that to be completely surrendered to God? Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff... I can't tell if I am being too hard on myself or what

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Are you equating a mature Christian with Paul's "strong" Christian (1 Corinthians 8, Romans 14)? If so, it is how a Christian uses their knowledge that makes them mature/strong. In my opinion, we have devolved into scattered communities of weak Christians. Don't let someone's legalism and asceticism fool you into thinking they are mature, this is actually a sign of their weak conscience.

Also read Colossians 2:16-23.

If we really try to be tactful but still do the right thing we might get powerful enemies if we answer honestly when asked difficult questions in public. When life gets rougher through the years are we still mature then? Or do we chose to shut our mouth and not speak up for the hardworking poor and needy and avoid getting some of the rich as an enemy. Mature is to me letting God take over and letting go of myself my ego.

Beautyinsteadofashes said:

It can be really difficult not top compare ourselves to others. For some people it may take decades to mature, some a lot less. There is a young girl at my church who is very strong in her walk. The important thing is where your heart is. If you have a heart for God and seek Him, you will continue to mature. Try not to focus on how long it is taking and instead enjoy the journey. And remember no one comes out of the box perfect.

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Yes, spiritual maturity is not merely chronological but a matter of 'grow(ing) in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ' (2 Peter 3).

ToBeLoved said:

I was just trying to figure out why if he knows his own error why you were still pushing that.

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As I'm sure you realize, knowing that one is sinning and being properly convicted, sorrowful and repentant about that sin are not the same thing. The OP seemed to me to have a general uneasiness and vague guilt about his sin but not the sort of conviction and sorrow that produces the godly repentance that is so vital to true freedom from any sin. The first step in truly getting free of sin is to see it as God sees it. The empathetic, "Relax. I sin, too," response from believers, however, does not encourage a divine perspective on sin but, instead, blunts and dissolves the deep conviction about sin that is necessary to winning free of it.

aiki said:

As I'm sure you realize, knowing that one is sinning and being properly convicted, sorrowful and repentant about that sin are not the same thing. The OP seemed to me to have a general uneasiness and vague guilt about his sin but not the sort of conviction and sorrow that produces the godly repentance that is so vital to true freedom from any sin. The first step in truly getting free of sin is to see it as God sees it. The empathetic, "Relax. I sin, too," response from believers, however, does not encourage a divine perspective on sin but, instead, blunts and dissolves the deep conviction about sin that is necessary to winning free of it.

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But isn't it the Holy Spirit's job to convict someone of their sin?

What happens when people think that it is their job to make people responsible for sin? It usually doesn't work out well and leads to a lot of problems. That is my point.

ToBeLoved said:

But isn't it the Holy Spirit's job to convict someone of their sin?

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So, are you suggesting that we ought never to say anything to others about their sin? Is this how Christ and the apostles behaved? Did they just leave it up to the Holy Spirit to convict? Or did they "reprove, rebuke and exhort" as Paul wrote to Timothy to do? Are we commanded in Scripture to be silent in the face of another's sin? I don't see that recommended or demonstrated but rather just the opposite (Lu. 17:3; Eph. 5:11; 2Ti. 4:2; Tit. 2:15).

ToBeLoved said:

What happens when people think that it is their job to make people responsible for sin? It usually doesn't work out well and leads to a lot of problems. That is my point.

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But Christians aren't islands. God intends for them to be in close community with each other (Eph. 2:19-22; 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12). And when they are, the community they form together is supposed to have a correcting, stabilizing, and supporting effect upon each member of it. It is sin of some sort that always moves believers away from each other and into isolation from the correcting influence of the Church. It is these isolated believers who are the strongest in their "Don't judge me!" attitude.

WilliamBo said:

What I mean is, in your experience, are Christians that are really surrendered to Christ generally middle-aged and older

The reason I ask is because I found Christ 5 years ago in my early 20's and I get really concerned about my progress in righteousness and surrendering to God. I was in college at the time and I happened to make a close group of Christian friends and we were all on fire for Jesus, and they were all very mature spiritually while I was still dabbling in and out of my sin and not fully participating in our house church and social events... they knew I loved God greatly and respected me for it but at the same time I was double-minded. They ended up ''evicting'' me out of our house because I brought alcohol into the house, and they were right to do that because we had a no-alcohol in the house rule.

Now, these friends of mine from college are the ONLY young people I have ever met that were spiritually mature like that... all the other mature people I've met have been in at least their 40's, usually even 50's and over. Does it usually take decades like that to be completely surrendered to God? Here I am 4 years after moving out of that house and still struggling with lots of the same stuff... I can't tell if I am being too hard on myself or what

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It surprised me to learn that most Born-Again Christians gave their life to Jesus before the age of 15. I gave my life to Jesus at the age of 10 but no 'mature' Christians heard me, let alone believed that children could be totally sold out for Jesus.

In many churches, there is a Power Grab by offer Christians, many who have long forgotten what it was like to be on fire for God because older people than themselves have driven out the enthusiasm and zeal. But remember that they cannot fool Jesus when it comes to the Day of Judgement.

Find a church which puts young people and children high on its agenda and you'll find a great bunch of Christians