Articles
I Am Writing To You - 1 John 2:12-14
The apostle John interrupted his description of Jesus’s appearances to His disciples and wrote, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (Jn. 20:30-31). John paused his account of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to state a matter of extreme importance. Leon Morris writes, “His aim is to bring people to believe, and in believing to have life. This means that believing is very important for him, and in fact he makes the idea ring through his whole book.” This will not be the last time John explains his purpose for writing to his audience.
John contrasted two ways of living in the opening paragraphs of his first letter. People are either walking in the Light or walking in darkness. Living like Jesus and loving others indicates that one is walking in the Light. However, claiming fellowship with the Father while hating others indicates that one is walking in darkness. It is during this important discussion that John paused and directly addressed the readers of his letter. He wanted to provide them with assurance and encouragement concerning the path they had chosen. They enjoy privileges and a status as Light followers that those walking in darkness do not enjoy.
John wrote, “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who has been 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 evil one” (1 Jn. 2:12-14). John addressed his readers as “children, “fathers,” and “young men.” This refers to their physical age or their spiritual maturity. His main concern is the fact that his readers know the Father, and that relationship is based on evidence—not claims. The beloved believers that John was writing to had overcome the evil one, and the word of God was abiding in them. They were on the pathway of Light, and John wanted to emphasized that for them. Their status with God was important to him.
Reading this section of John’s first letter forces us to consider our status. Do I know the Father? Have I overcome the evil one? Is the word of God abiding in me? John wrote to assure and encourage his beloved children. We can be assured and encouraged when we follow his instructions. Let’s walk in the Light and walk as Jesus walked.
