Some individuals who know a level of spiritual maturity and dependence upon God that mark their walk as what the ancient church called The Unitive Way…….. following the childhood and youth “spiritual growth stages” of The Purgative Way and The Illuminative Way. The Apostle John referred to these three stages in 1John 2:12-14:
“I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
14 I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”
Spiritual adults knew The Way.
Moses knew it:
“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15;2
David knew it:
The Lord is my strength, and He is the reason I sing; He has been there to save me in every situation. Psalm 118:14
Isaiah knew it:
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become
my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2
Daniel knew it:
“Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace!
Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.” Daniel 10:19
Paul knew it:
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.
2 Timothy 4:17
And I know it:
I do not ask to be strong but for God to be my strength, every minute, every day, in every way…… to stay by my side and provide all that is needed in every circumstance. CBB 9.14.20