MONDAY – 1 John 2:12-14, “ I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is 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 wicked one.” The passage before us for this week is one that has had some differing views concerning its interpretation. You may notice it is written down in you Bible in a different type of format that the verses previous or those that follow. Some scholars have seen this as Poetic in in its composition as John addresses different groups of believers and speaks specifically concerning each of them. Some scholars see all Christians in view as the “little children” and then two distinct groups in the Fathers and Young men while others see three different groups altogether. If we remember John is concerned with genuine believers understanding and having assurance of their salvation as he has given some tests and application for us to measure our lives against. He appears to begin by offering general instruction for continued assurance to all believers but then breaks down his words to different groups. Although all of us are at various stages of life in our growth and maturity levels we will come to see that the blessings of each group are the blessings of all the groups and that we can all find ourselves included in all of them.
(Meditate, Apply & Pray) Which of the groups John mentions do you think you belong to? Are you actively growing and changing and moving forward in your Christian growth? Father, help me to continue to grow and experience the blessings of maturity in Jesus.
TUESDAY – 1 John 2:12: “I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” As mentioned already, regardless where you land concerning your understanding of how many groups are in view, we find this verse to contain a general assurance to all believers although here John addresses them as little children. I say this because the Greek word used here is a diminutive form of a word which means offspring, infant, one born. John is speaking to all those who have been born of God and are His children. He will use a different Greek word for children in verse 13 and that word speaks to a young child who is still under parental instruction and is ignorant and needs to learn and grow and receive guidance. Because your sins are forgiven.” This is the good news of Jesus Christ for all genuine believers, the announcement that our sins have been forgiven (Luke 24:47, Acts 13:38). Jesus often told those he healed this (Mark 2:5). We also find Him telling the sinful woman who entered the home of Simon the Pharisee and anointed His feet the same thing (Luke 7:48). God forgives sins once for all. Sins have been, are, and remain forever forgiven for the believer. John continues with for His name’s sake. Sins are forgiven not because of any merit or special earned favor by us but rather on the merit of Christ’s perfect obedience and death for God’s glory alone.
(Meditate, Apply & Pray) Have I been born into the family of God? Am I a little child, alive in Christ and desiring to learn and grow to be more and more like Him? Father, thank You for birthing me into the family of God and for conforming slowly but surely into the image of Christ.
WEDNESDAY – 1 John 2:13a: “I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one.” John here now addresses the fathers in the church. He gives them the same message in the next verse as well, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. Simon Kistemaker handles this well when he says, “In the broader context of the epistle, John repeatedly writes about the Father. He uses this expression to portray the close relationship between God the Father and his Son. The term father assumes sonship; with respect to God this fatherhood includes both the Son of God and the children adopted through him. We have natural fathers, but earthly fatherhood is only a faint reflection of God’s fatherhood. Nevertheless, John appeals to the fathers, because they have gained spiritual knowledge of and about Jesus Christ. In the course of time, they “have [come to know] him who is from the beginning.” They have an intimate knowledge of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ (1:1; John 1:1).” We understand that in the church of Jesus we look to those who are spiritual fathers for leadership and instruction and guidance. Fathers have come to know God intimately and deeply not just a superficial understanding but one forged understanding the depth of God’s character through circumstances of life. John now speaks to young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. He repeats the same words in the next verse to indicate the significance of this truth. They are young warriors of the gospel and full of strength to fight and defend the truth and by their growing love for God and the Word, conquer the wicked one. They have fought back the attacks and temptations of the devil, and rejoice in their salvation standing firm in the face of temptation, for they have overcome by their God-given spiritual strength. These young men are marked with an understanding of the truth of sound doctrine which causes them to act. We will see this again in verse 14 a bit more clearly.
(Meditate, Apply & Pray) Do I look to spiritual fathers for guidance and wisdom? Am I a passionate young man declaring and defending the Word of God in this blind and mocking world? Father, help me to soak in the wisdom of those who have known You deeply through the experiences of life. And give me a strong passion for truth based on my understanding and love for Your Word.
THURSDAY – 1 John 2:13b: “I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. ” As we mentioned earlier in our study, John uses a different Greek word here for children which speaks to a child who needs to grow. Some scholars see this as a distinct group while others see this again as a general reference to ALL believers as Children of God who regardless of age are loved and endeared by the Father. He says to them that, “you have known the Father.” Not only have the fathers come to know God but all of us a true believers share this in common as well. Through Jesus, we genuine believers have personally experienced the love of God the Father. We turn to Him and cry out Abba (daddy) Father (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6).
(Meditate, Apply & Pray) Do you know God as Your Father? Do you cry out to Him as such? What characteristic of fathers do you enjoy and experience from God? Father, thank You for loving me and caring for me as Your child.
FRIDAY– 1 John 2:14: “I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is 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 wicked one.” Once more John appeals to the fathers as he repeats what he has already said previously. The repetition shews us the seriousness of Johns appeal to them saying that even fathers can’t afford to relax the process of their spiritual growth. And again John references the young men who are strong both physically and spiritually having proven their spiritual strength (Ephesians 6:10). They have the word of God abiding in them which is the key to their strength and the source of their victory. It is in treasuring, obeying, and believing the Word that we will be victorious and overcome the power and deceit of Satan. Christians in John’s day encountered false teachers who opposed the faith with false doctrines. The Apostle John consistently exhorts them and us to walk in the light, to live by the truth, obey God’s commands, and have fellowship with God and His people. Wanting to build the confidence and assurance of these believers John points to the blessings all believers have in Christ: 1. We know our sins have been forgiven. 2. We know God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. 3. We have overcome Satan through the Word of God. We are called to continue to grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18). As John has reminded us beloved, look to the many rich blessings that we as believers possess in Christ Jesus. Let us sing the words of the hymn writer Augustus M. Toplady, “How vast the benefits divine Which we in Christ possess! We are redeemed from guilt and shame, And called to holiness.”
(Meditate, Apply & Pray) Do you see and feel the warning and encouragement of The Apostle John in this text beloved? His desire is that we be assured and confident and continue to grow in grace and knowledge of The Lord Jesus. Father, I thank You for this blessed salvation I possess in and because of Your love and grace and what Jesus has done for me. Help me to continue to grow in all stages of life and reach maturity as I am conformed to the image of Your Son my Lord. For I ask this in His name and for His sake, Amen
