“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 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. I write to you, 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 abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:12-14 ESV)
The Christian life is one of arduous labor. The constant battle between the old man and the new man rages every hour of every day. Deeply aware of this reality, the Apostle John instructs his readers to live lives of personal holiness and to love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. As a faithful pastor, however, John also understands that believers can become discouraged when their personal struggle against sin and inevitable conflict with one another seem like a losing battle. Therefore, just as John previously delivered the gospel imperative, he also reminds them of the gospel indicatives.
He addresses three groups of people: little children, young men, and fathers. This could be referring to three groups of people in the sense of literal age or by their spiritual maturity—the new believers, those who have been believers for some time and are at the height of their spiritual vigor, and elder believers. It could also be referring to a single group of people in three senses: people who, like children, depend on God as their Father, like young men, have the strength of the Spirit to defend against false teaching, and, like fathers, pass on the truth of the gospel to others. However you read it, John is clearly speaking to every member of his audience. He is not leaving room for any of his readers to claim that his instruction and encouragements do not apply to them.
When speaking to the little children, he reminds them, “your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake” and “you know the Father.” Little children in the faith are undoubtedly more susceptible to false teaching and need to be reminded more often of basic doctrines. Yes, the child ought to grow in maturity and independence, but in the early days, he needs to know little else than who his Father is and that he is trustworthy and ready to show mercy. John recognizes this and protects his little children by impressing upon them the first things of the faith.
The second group he addresses is the “young men.” To these he says, “you have overcome the evil one” and “you are strong, and the word of God abides in you.” These young men are the deployed soldiers, as it were. They have both the energy and the experience to wage active war against the evil one. There is certainly a sense in which all believers are weak and in need of the grace of the Lord —a point which John is not denying. But it is also true that believers whose spiritual fervor is at its peak and whose faith has deepened are among the most ready and able to defend the faith. It is these to whom John issues a call to arms, reminding them of their current state and exhorting them to wisely steward that which is entrusted to them.
Finally, John addresses the fathers. In both instances in this passage, he says, “you know him who was from the beginning.” These men are well-seasoned in the knowledge of God, and with that knowledge comes the responsibility to communicate it to others (Psalm 145:4). They do not have the simple faith of a child, nor do they have the warrior-like faith of the young men, but they do know God in an intimate way that only comes from extended communion with him. The church will not defend the truth effectively without older saints who can instruct the younger believers. These spiritual fathers know God deeply, which is an invaluable asset in the body of Christ.
Taken together, John is applying the gospel to all in the church. As John Calvin explains, “The old for the most part excuse themselves, because they have exceeded the age of learning; children refuse to learn, as they are not yet old enough; men of middle age do not attend, because they are occupied with other pursuits. Lest, then, any should exempt themselves, he accommodates the Gospel to all.”
The purity and health of the church rests on the grace of God as it is poured out on all believers in every stage of life and faith, and every believer rests upon the foundation of the gospel. John speaks to each of us as clearly as he spoke to his original readers. May we have keen ears and receptive hearts to know, believe, and protect that gospel as we await the return of Christ.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We, as your children, depend on you for everything we have and everything we are. Wherever we may be in our spiritual life, may you work in us to serve your church as you have called us to do.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer Requests:
- Tuesday: Pray for church-planting ministries in eastern Ukraine.
- Wednesday: Pray for missionaries working on a translation of the Old Testament in South Asia.
- Thursday: Pray for missionaries serving with Good Hope Christian School in South Africa.
- Friday: Pray for the ongoing ministry of the church plant in Torres de la Alameda, Spain.
- Saturday: Pray for the missionary team serving in Slovakia.
- Sunday: Pray for missionaries serving with Camp Paradise in Brazil as they minister to youth and teens.
- Monday: Pray for the Iquitos Deaf Ministry in Peru.
Featured Serving Opportunity:
Administrative Assistant – Bookkeeping and Administration
Location: Australia
As ABWE Australia continues to expand its ministry, the team is looking for an office administrator to help support the work of church plants, edit and publish literature stock for distribution, and coordinate events.
