I have known my wife for nearly 25 years.

We first met in high school when her family showed up at our church one Sunday morning. For a few years we were just acquaintances who attended the same church and occasionally the same youth events. Coincidentally (or providentially) we ended up attending the same college and became classmates and friends. By the time that we had known each other for five years we began dating. After a year of dating we got engaged. After a year of engagement we got married. After being married for five years we began having kids.

Over the course of those 25 years I have known and experienced my wife as friend, classmate, spouse and mother of my children - each a distinct experience. She is one person, yet I have experienced different aspects of her. My experience with my wife illustrates that relationships are complex and that we can experience various aspects of the very same person as we grow in relationship with that person.

There is a similarity in how we experience Jesus. When we experience Jesus as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King we are not experiencing four different Jesus’. Nor are we dividing Jesus. We are discovering aspects, dynamics and ministries of the one, true Jesus.

I want to be clear that I am not suggesting a divided Jesus that we can approach and optionally chose which aspects of Jesus we accept. I am not saying that we can accept Jesus as Savior but not as Sanctifier. A.W. Tozer addressed this topic in a series of sermons on 1 Peter. These sermons were later compiled into a book by the name; “I call it Heresy.” In that series of sermons, Tozer said: “…a notable heresy has come into being throughout our evangelical circles-the widely accepted concept that we humans can choose to accept Christ only because we need Him as Savior and we have the right to postpone our obedience to Him as Lord as long as we want to!” (Tozer, Heresy, 1)

I acknowledge that dividing Jesus is not an option. I’m not talking about dividing Jesus, I’m talking about discovering Him. What I am suggesting is that in order to experience the fullness of Jesus, we must grow in how we experience Him. These experiences often come with the passing of time. I’m speaking primarily of a practical reality, not a hypothetical theological principle. Perhaps it doesn’t have to be that way, but generally this is how it goes. Take a moment to interview some older, mature followers of Jesus. I’m sure that they will tell you about how they grew to understand and experience the mercy, sweetness and power of Jesus more dynamically the longer that they walked with Him.