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.
Three times John writes ‘I am writing to you’ and then three times ‘I write to you’. I don’t know New Testament Greek, but I am led to believe that the second phrase is nearer ‘I have written’, with this sense of something done or complete. He’s making a point, that what he has to say to them is not tentative or something possible, but that all he has to say about them is so. They are forgiven, in a relationship with God, and through him have victory over the evil one and sin. Nothing has changed, and so I can now write in confidence, through faith in Christ your sins are forgiven, you have become God’s children, and the Spirit is in you giving you the power to live the life to which you’re called.
Who can you encourage in their life of faith as John encourages us? Is there someone you can write to/email/call/text?
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