1 John 2:12-14 says...
Today's verses are 1 John 2:12-14, which read,
v.12 - I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.
It might seem funny or odd being called "little children" but you have to remember who is talking to us. This is John, one of the original disciples of Jesus who was in the inner circle with Him on many occasions. This would be someone that early Christians would speak of in great respect and marvel at his commitment to persevere this long through pain, suffering, and persecution. Maybe you have some "Johns" in your church who have been faithful followers of Jesus for so long and you won't bat an eye at them calling you "little children."
John reminds them of something that we need to be reminded of everyday so that we live that day in light of it. We have been released from the bondage of sin and that release (forgiveness) came through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is all because of Him and for Him that you have this forgiveness and faith.
v.13 - I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
Fathers, young men, and children are addressed here. John is going from the most spiritually mature to the newest of the faith. "Fathers," most spiritually mature, think and be thankful for all the time that you have been with the God in the faith. "Young men," middle aged Christian with all the responsibilities of life, think and be thankful for all the times you have seen God's ways trump the world's way and you followed God's way. "Children," brand new Christians, think and be thankful that you have come to know God for who He is.
v.14 - I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
John only addresses the "fathers" and the "young men" here because v.13 says that he "is" writing to the Christians at all levels of spiritual maturity. Now in v.14, John says he "has" written to "fathers" and "young men" and leaves off the "children" because they are new and would not have been part of the faith at the time. John is simply saying that what I am writing to you about, I have written to you before. The message has not changed.
Here is the new Christian hearing that those mature Christians and those Christians in the thick of life are getting the same message that was from the beginning. The new Christian is not "behind the 8 ball" on this. He is receiving instruction that is a "review" of what was written before to those who you may feel are "ahead" of you.
I have lead many Bible studies and Sunday School classes for adults who are new to the faith and I have heard many times these comments, "I don't know enough" or "I feel embarrassed because I don't know as much as the other people in the class" or "I will never catch up so why start?" Don't let that deter you from going forward. Why? Because those who you see as "fathers" and "young men" in the faith are just going over review and you have not joined the class to catch up but to join the review session of what it means to be a genuine Christian.
One may look at me as "more mature" in the faith but I am just doing some more review about the grace of God, the mercy of God, and the salvation of God. God is a life-long subject and the class is never ending until we see Him face to face. We should love it when God brings someone "new" into the class to join the review of our great God.
Maybe this passage is for those who are "fathers" and the "young men" to recognize that their are "children" who have joined the class. Those "new" to the faith are watching those "old" in the faith as you continue to receive instruction from the Lord. You are not finished yet. You need to continue to have a tender heart toward God and a humble spirit to continue to follow His call and His lead.
"Lord, increase our class size and help us who are here already to welcome the newcomers with open arms by showing them that we all part of the 'class of Jesus' no matter when we have entered. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.12 - I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.
It might seem funny or odd being called "little children" but you have to remember who is talking to us. This is John, one of the original disciples of Jesus who was in the inner circle with Him on many occasions. This would be someone that early Christians would speak of in great respect and marvel at his commitment to persevere this long through pain, suffering, and persecution. Maybe you have some "Johns" in your church who have been faithful followers of Jesus for so long and you won't bat an eye at them calling you "little children."
John reminds them of something that we need to be reminded of everyday so that we live that day in light of it. We have been released from the bondage of sin and that release (forgiveness) came through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is all because of Him and for Him that you have this forgiveness and faith.
v.13 - I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
Fathers, young men, and children are addressed here. John is going from the most spiritually mature to the newest of the faith. "Fathers," most spiritually mature, think and be thankful for all the time that you have been with the God in the faith. "Young men," middle aged Christian with all the responsibilities of life, think and be thankful for all the times you have seen God's ways trump the world's way and you followed God's way. "Children," brand new Christians, think and be thankful that you have come to know God for who He is.
v.14 - I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
John only addresses the "fathers" and the "young men" here because v.13 says that he "is" writing to the Christians at all levels of spiritual maturity. Now in v.14, John says he "has" written to "fathers" and "young men" and leaves off the "children" because they are new and would not have been part of the faith at the time. John is simply saying that what I am writing to you about, I have written to you before. The message has not changed.
Here is the new Christian hearing that those mature Christians and those Christians in the thick of life are getting the same message that was from the beginning. The new Christian is not "behind the 8 ball" on this. He is receiving instruction that is a "review" of what was written before to those who you may feel are "ahead" of you.
I have lead many Bible studies and Sunday School classes for adults who are new to the faith and I have heard many times these comments, "I don't know enough" or "I feel embarrassed because I don't know as much as the other people in the class" or "I will never catch up so why start?" Don't let that deter you from going forward. Why? Because those who you see as "fathers" and "young men" in the faith are just going over review and you have not joined the class to catch up but to join the review session of what it means to be a genuine Christian.
One may look at me as "more mature" in the faith but I am just doing some more review about the grace of God, the mercy of God, and the salvation of God. God is a life-long subject and the class is never ending until we see Him face to face. We should love it when God brings someone "new" into the class to join the review of our great God.
Maybe this passage is for those who are "fathers" and the "young men" to recognize that their are "children" who have joined the class. Those "new" to the faith are watching those "old" in the faith as you continue to receive instruction from the Lord. You are not finished yet. You need to continue to have a tender heart toward God and a humble spirit to continue to follow His call and His lead.
"Lord, increase our class size and help us who are here already to welcome the newcomers with open arms by showing them that we all part of the 'class of Jesus' no matter when we have entered. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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