Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 77th. Edition.
Dear Saints,
In today’s passage (1 John 2:12-14), the apostle continues with the preamble to the commandment he will be pronouncing later. The reason he gave in the previous passage is that we are people of the light, who should be governed by love, not hate. He now breaks the community into three and gives reasons why the commandment is relevant for each. The age groups could be chronological, but it is more likely that he is thinking of levels of spiritual maturity.
First are the Children (vv. 12, 13c). He says two things about the children. First, that their sins are Forgiven. (v. 12). This is the first thing that happens to us when we are born again and are made children of God. It a necessity, because without forgiveness, we are an offense to our holy God.
The second is that the children have known The Father (v. 13c). Knowing God as Father is basic to the Christian. Immediate benefits come to all for whom God is Father: Security (Isaiah 41:10). Our Father protects his children so they can live life in confidence, whether the threat is spiritual, social, or physical. In times of the current pandemic, the Father’s word to his children is, “Fear not!” Supply (John 15:7). Children depend on the father to meet their needs.
A child is a total dependent who is often described as a primary consumer, who is not also a producer. In our spiritual infancy, we are usually more concerned about what we can get from God. But we do grow into Youths (vv. 13b, 14b). young people are characterized by high energy. Three things are said of them:
They are Strong (v. 14b). Strength is developed through healthy feeding and exercise. Christian strength has developed the fact the Indwelling of the word of God (v. 14b). This is achieved through the study and memorization of the word. Other practices like prayer (Philippians 4:6-7), fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25), and telling others about salvation through Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), all help one to develop spiritual muscle.
The outcome of this development is Victory over the evil one (vv. 13b, 14c). God’s people are also his army. We fight in God’s battles and stand against the kingdom of darkness (Ephesians 6:10-13). It is a great thing to fight God’s battles and win, but the maturity we all should be striving after is that of the Fathers (vv. 13a, 14a). Only one thing is said of the fathers, that they “Have known him who was from the beginning.” The One who was from the beginning is the eternal, unchanging God. It is a wonderful thing to know that God will not surprise us with some action out of character from his nature. For instance, God is good. That will never change – we can “take it to the bank.” If things happen to us that we do not understand, we can be sure that God intends only good. Secondly, God is true.
That means he will not lie or deceive. We can depend on his word because what he says, he will do (Numbers 23:19). People who know God in this way are not fazed by uncertainties or threats. They know that they can depend on the unchanging God. Nor do they care much for what they get from God. Their lives are about knowing God deeper. That as an end is enough.
Where are you in your journey of faith? Are you in childhood, where protection and provision are what matter the most to you? Or are you at the youth stage, where growth, accomplishment, and victory are crucial? I pray we will desire the old age stage, where we can say with the apostle Paul, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…” (Philippians 3:10).
Your Loving Pastor Chris.