Levels of Christianity
Just as
we grow throughout our lives and become more mature in our understanding about
the nature of things so too with our Christian faith. What one Christian may
be able to handle the next Christian might be
stumbled. The levels of maturity differ with each Christian
individual. Although these levels of Christianity are outlined here it is
important to realize that an individual in their progression can also regress
as well. It is also important to know that these classifications do take time.
Although some will seem to progress faster than others we who are strong need
to maintain that cutting corners is not a good practice in the Christian faith.
Preschool- A newly
converted or a young adult out on their own for the first
time can be considered a preschool Christian.
The basic concepts of faith and integrity to God are grasped but have
not really been weathered to stand the test of time. Such individuals feel uncomfortable when it comes
to defending the faith because of their lack of knowledge in conviction.
Surely such individuals have a right to be uncomfortable and
to debate someone who is a challenger of the Christian faith would almost
certainly prove detrimental to the spiritual well being of the individual’s
conviction.
Such a person would feel touched by God in some way and
feelings of ecstasy may cloud the judgment of sound reason. It is recommended that such an individual
should dive into the Holy Bible and grasp the meaning of faith. It is also
understood that as the individual searches throughout the Holy Bible he or she
will find things that may trouble them.
This is a natural reaction to anyone who is young in the faith such as
this. In fact, many have stopped there without
further study and decided to challenge the Christian faith. It would be as if a person quit kindergarten
or preschool because they couldn't grasp many concepts. Such a person would be inclined to jump back
and forth from evolution to creation. They tend to rely more on science or man’s understanding to solve mankind's problems because they
never made the connection between man and God.
Elementary-The 
elementary
Christian might still be troubled by some things that are hard to understand
yet, there's something that draws him or her to this way of teaching that is
unrecognizable by any physical or scientific thought. He has grasped the first concept of faith
through evidence of the world around him.
The conviction grows stronger as he sees things through the eyes of
faith. Unlike a preschool Christian he
knows that there will be things hard to understand but patience has become an
added necessity to the conviction he holds from within. This person has memorized several key
scriptures that they can recall at any given moment to solidify sound reason
for the basis of his faith. Although
someone such as this is not ready for any debate, they are expressing a
heartfelt desire to defend the hope they have from within. As they journey to the end of this elementary
state they fantasize less and less and the reality of the Christian faith has
started to sprout from deep down within their soul.
Intermediate-The intermediate
Christian looks at the 
sound
foundation of Christian teaching and is content from within its walls. These walls are not without scars however,
the bumps and bruises and the determined look of conviction is starting to be
noticed within the way he presents himself.
It is apparent that such an individual has taken the council from within
the Holy Bible and has experienced the benefits of a genuine purpose to life.
People around him notice a difference the quality of his life
has increased drastically. This person has
lost some friends but has gained a brotherhood.
A powerful force is felt in every step of faith that is manifested in
his life. He has been guided and he
knows that the guidance is pure because he feels the freedom from within. This person is able to recall scripture when
the situation presents itself but yet he still may seem a little overbearing at
times. Wrongdoing is something that this
individual has a hard time dealing with.
Such a one has to be careful not to be so quick so as to point the finger
as it were.
Midway-The midway
Christian has an inviting presence; people
are attracted to such an individual because of the determined countenance that
portrays stability. It is this type of
person that attracts newcomers to the faith. The sound reasoning's of this
individual does not go without its challenges. He will find that from time to
time it is beneficial to go back to elementary teachings that inspired his
faith in the first place. After a battle
with the challenger of the faith such an individual can still feel shaken into
doubts. There would be a realization of
the power of prayer that transcends any man made reasoning yet,
a person's pride may get in the way of this humble and very vital act. Such a person is not tossed about like waves
in the sea but can feel the power of the wind that would have his soul.
Advanced -If
there was ever a pillar in the faith it would 
be this
person. A powerful faith in God has made such a one to be practically
unshakable. Such an individual must be careful with tendencies in the
separation of the faith. Although such a
one believes that humility is essential equally he must believe that there are
no divisions in Christ. This one also
realizes that Christians are not perfect.
This person will also realize that they are not the ones who make a
difference in someone's life but, it is the testimony of Jesus Christ and unity
that makes the difference. The problems
of the world are a true concern for such an individual but patience along with
faith will help them to remain strong in maintaining that Jesus Christ is the
answer. The battle is far from over and
although such a person recognizes the machinations of the devil, he has been
defeated from time to time. Such a
person will use these bad experiences as a steppingstones rather than a
stumbling stone. It is also understood
that discouragement and depression will be a natural reaction to such a sincere
person who cares for the welfare and faith of others. This person may struggle because his own
imperfections will be his biggest stumbling block.
Wonderment- Such
a person will almost appear as an oracle. They do not instigate a debate with anybody
because it appears silly to them. They
have been touched by the spirit of God and people in the faith are generally
off Standish to such an individual. Even
the spirits respect such a person and dignify them with strength. Such a person understands that it is no man
made organization that unifies the body of Christ but that it is Christ
himself. The silliness of the world and
manmade reasoning is apparent to this individual. He will generally write things down as he is
guided but does not instigate or plan out what he will write. He is moved with compassion upon the worldwide
brotherhood of Christianity and endeavors to strengthen the holy ones through
prayer and reasoning with faith. This
person is generally alone but, that would only appear that way to a man of
carnal nature. Such a person will laugh
in the face of adversity and realizes the shortness of this life span. His faith in Christ causes him not to be
anxious but to be at peace and generally he will not worry about anything. This person can clearly spot a baby in the
faith within the first couple of sentences and is careful not to overburden
such a youth with heavy thought. Whether
his eyes are opened or closed he is always learning and being taught and is
prone to frequent visits that cannot be explained with man's words. Such a person would also have to be cautious
about being rude.
Insulting
another person's intelligence is no way to gain a believer in Christ
Jesus. The repeated admonition of
humility will be a struggle for such a person who has had the privilege of
getting so close to the powerful God. It
should be understood by such an individual that the justice of God is not
prejudice.
©2008 Mr. Sunshine