1 John 2:12-13 New International Version
12 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.13 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.
We see John’s heart clearly in the words he writes for those reading this. He refers to them as dear children. At his core, he is a shepherd who desires the very best for God’s people. God has given us His word to lead and guide us. We live in a world of ever-increasing deception, and the only way we can be free and protected from the deceptions of our age is to know and study the word of God. John hopes that they not only read the words he is writing but also understand and apply them to their lives. Scripture has little impact if we fail to understand it and do not apply it to our lives.
Because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. The word forgiven means to leave, abandon. Refers to leaving or abandoning a place, a person, or a thing, including a belief.[1] When God’s word states that we have been forgiven, it signifies that our sins have been completely removed and washed away. Through Jesus Christ, they have been fully atoned for. Because of His finished work and His name, we have salvation through His shed blood. The cross serves as the entry point for anyone seeking forgiveness and adoption into God’s family.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. In verse twelve, John uses the word "children." This not only reflects John’s heart for his audience but also signifies a stage in a person’s spiritual journey. When someone comes to saving faith in Jesus Christ, they become a newborn Christian. They will progress to being immature and a child in the faith. This marks the beginning of a journey characterized by forgiveness. However, our spiritual journey is one of continuous growth. John also employs the term "fathers." Father means father, forefather. Literally someone’s male parent. It can also be used to refer to forefathers in the plural.[2] This refers to those who have matured in the faith and undergone the deep sanctification process of the Holy Spirit.
The word know means know; understand, to know (experientially) — to know or have knowledge about (someone or something); normally as acquired through observation or the senses.[3] Those who have become fathers in the faith are those who have come to know Jesus Christ intimately. It is much more than simply head knowledge of who Jesus Christ is. It is an experiential knowledge of knowing and encountering Jesus Christ. This can only take place on a daily basis as we abide in Jesus. Without abiding in Jesus, we will fail to fully understand who He is. Following Christ is not a one-day-a-week commitment; it is a moment-by-moment journey in which we are continually changed as we walk with Him.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. Young men represent another step in the spiritual journey. When we come to Christ, we start as spiritual children. However, as we deepen our understanding of God’s word and face various trials, we begin to mature and transition into spiritual adolescence and young adulthood. Young men are those who have overcome the evil one. They have confronted the temptations of the enemy and, with Jesus Christ and by the grace of God, have triumphed over temptation, demonstrating victory in their lives.
No one who comes to Jesus Christ is called to remain stagnant in their growth with Him. It requires us to abide in Him, spend time daily in God’s word, engage in personal prayer, and build relationships within the body of Christ. The priorities of our lives will reveal who our God truly is. We may claim to follow Jesus Christ, but the real question we must answer is: is He really Lord of every area of our lives, and are we consistently growing each day?
Prayer
Father help me to grow. Help me to move on to maturity. Help me to overcome the enemy and deliver me from temptation and every lie and deception of the enemy. Father help me to keep my eyes fixed upon you and your kingdom. Lead, guide, and direct me in all things. May my life bring you glory in all things. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
Reflection Question: Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus? If not, what is holding you back from going deeper in Christ? If you have deepened your faith, in what ways have you seen God transform your life?
[1] Michael R. Jones, “Apostasy,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
[2] Dougald McLaurin III, “Ancestry and Posterity,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
[3] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).
Comments