1 John 2:12-14 (18.10.21)

1 John 2:12-14 (NIV)
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.

14 I 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.

If we see John as addressing people at different spiritual ages, what do we discover about them? To begin with John highlights two aspects that mark new Christians’ lives (his dear children): the first, experiencing the forgiveness that Christ has achieved for us that we embrace as new Christians, leading to our fresh start and new life, and the second, coming to know God not as an abstract force or distant deity, but as Father with all that that entails.

Thank you Father that if we’ve placed our lives in your hands, then we can know that we have a new life in you, and know that you love us with a true Father’s love.