January 22, 2016
Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:12-17
12I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13I 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.
14I write to you, dear 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 lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Questions for Reflection:
John has been combatting the false teachers that have infiltrated his congregation. He has been trying to make a clear contrast between those who are walking in the light by following after Christ and those in the darkness. His hope would be to shake the prideful spirit of those denying Christ so that they could reconnect with God. Yet, in the midst of this chapter, he inserts a parenthetical statement to encourage and build up those who have been faithful.
John writes to three groups of people in verses 12-14. Who are the three groups that he writes to? Many commentators point out that the term “children” is commonly used throughout John’s writing. The phrase often refers to the whole community of believers, the church. Why does John write to the “dear children?” What does he want to make sure that they know? John tells the church that their sins have been forgiven but why have they been? J. Ligon Duncan in his sermon on 1 John 2 writes:
“John’s point here is that Christians are not forgiven because of something we do; we’re not forgiven because we deserve it; we’re not forgiven because we’re different in some way from other people who do not receive the gracious merciful forgiveness of God. We’re forgiven because of Christ; we’re forgiven because of God’s mercy shown to us in Jesus Christ. In other words, the basis of our forgiveness is outside of us, and so the assurance of our forgiveness is outside of us, and it’s in what God has done.”
The second group that John writes to he calls fathers, or leaders. Why does he write to them? What does he want to remind them of? If you’ve been tracking with us through 1 John so far, you’re familiar with the phrase “from the beginning.” John uses this phrase to point to the Word, Jesus Christ. John uses nearly the exact same phrasing in verse 13 and 14 for writing to the leaders. Why do you think he does this?
Finally, John writes to young believers (“young men”). Please note that while John writes “young men,” the early church would have understood him to be writing to both men and women who were new to their faith. What is his message to them? Often when we are new to our faith and we face obstacles, barriers or roadblocks, it can become disheartening. John encourages the new converts to recognize their strength in Christ, the power of the word of God in their life and overcome. Often when we are new to our faith, we can struggle with things from the world, the temptations from our past. Is there particular areas where you have struggled in the past or are struggling now? How can these verses be an encouragement to you to persevere?
If John were writing to you, which category do you think you would find yourself in? What is the message he would write to you? Finally, John’s words were an encouragement to the church. Who can you love and encourage today?