1 John 2:12-14

1 John 2:12-14

I write to you all, little children, because sin has been forgiven through His name.  I write to you all, fathers, because you all have known the one from the beginning.  I write to you all, young men, because you all have overcome the evil one.  I wrote to you all, children, because you all have known the Father.  I wrote to you all, fathers, because you all have known the one from the beginning.  I wrote to you all, young men, because you all are strong and the Word of God remains in you all have overcome the evil one.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This passage gives us three categories of people.  However, being poetry we should be careful to interpret this passage too literally.  When John speaks of forgiveness, is he only speaking to the children?  When John speaks of strength, is he only talking to young men?  When John speaks of known the God who has been since the beginning, is he only speaking to Fathers?  No we must be careful not to talk about this passage literally.  When John speaks of forgiveness, he is speaking like Jesus in that the forgiven person has a childlike faith and recognizes that their salvation only comes by the gracious hand of God.  When John speaks of strength, he turns to those in the community known for their strength and their zest in life.  When John speaks of knowing God, he speaks so as to value maturity in life.

Do you have a childlike faith when it comes to your understanding of forgiveness?  Are you strong?  Do you live with a maturity as you know the Father?

Second Thought:

Let’s talk a little more about the idea of forgiveness.  I have always thought the best definition of sin is a break in our relationship with God.  Sin is that which leads us away from God.  Forgiveness, then, is peace with God.  Forgiveness is restoration of the broken relationship.  John writes this letter first and foremost to make sure that they remember their forgiveness.  John writes these words to emphasize the possibilities of forgiveness.  Our strength and our knowledge of God are both byproduct of our relationship with Him.  Of course, this forgiveness only comes because of Jesus Christ.

What does forgiveness mean to you?  How does the fact that you are forgiven show in your life?

Third Thought:

John also speaks twice about overcoming the evil one.  Jesus came so that we might be forgiven and our relationship with God should be restored.  The Word of God can dwell within us.  Because of this, we can overcome the evil one.  We can overcome sin because of God through the name of Christ!  We can overcome the evil one as a natural consequence of our restored relationship with the Father.

Where are you overcoming the evil one?  Where do you struggle to find God’s ability to allow you to overcome the evil one?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 John 2:15-17