Young and Old

Young and Old

Question of the day:  When you were young, who is someone who encouraged you in your faith?

Today we are still studying 1 John 2.  Today we will look at verses 12-17.

Reasons for Writing

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.

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

This section is an interesting inset.  I remember trying to memorize it and even in the process of that it felt like a pause.  It has a different rhythm.  It almost feels like it is something that should have been at the beginning instead of here.  I couldn't help but think of my summers and working with the Recruiting team.  We would have lots of discussions, times when they ask me difficult questions, and sometimes as I'm talking with them about some hard stuff, I would take a pause and tell them why I was getting a bit preachy.  I understand the pause.  John is passionate about the subject he is writing about.  He loves these people and is desperate for them to really get it.  To hear him.  What he is fighting against is tough, and what he is writing is hitting them hard and he knows that.  

When John starts this section with "little children"  he is speaking to everyone.  He isn't just speaking to the very young.  Remember he started the chapter with the same word.  It is a term used to speak to his people, fellow Christians.  An endearing term of love. 

So the first term is meant for all and then the next two are differentiating between the old and the young.  

Let's break down what he says. 

Children - 1. Your sins have been forgiven you. 2. You have known the Father

Fathers - 1. You have known him who is from the beginning. 2. You have known him who is from the beginning.

Young men - 1. because you have overcome the evil one. 2. you are strong and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.  

It is notable that he breaks this down into the young and the old.  I am sure that there were issues with age.  Perhaps the young not listened to.  Perhaps the young not listening to the old.  Perhaps there were issues within the body dealing with the young and the old.  

I see here two very important groups.  Those who KNOW and those who have overcome, are strong and living it out.  

I remember well walking down the aisle of the church toward Chris.  I was 20 and he was 23.  That was a moment I will never forget! As amazing as it was, now I KNOW that we will weather storms together, we will get fat and then not so fat together, we will have a house full of children and then a house without children and through it all still LOVE each other.  That KNOWING is amazing!!!! So was that moment when I walked down the isle.  Very different, but just as sweet.  One is not better... 

To those of us who fit into the FATHER category, what does knowing him who is from the beginning mean to you?

To those of us who fit into the YOUNG PEOPLE category, what does this passage say to you?

If you are in the PARENT category I want to encourage you to remember the feeling of being young and to encourage those around you.  Remind them that they are strong, that they HAVE overcome the evil one (because of Christ) and that the word of God lives in them.  Remind them.  Assure them!

If you are in the YOUNG PEOPLE category, be encouraged,  the battle was won for you! He is with you and you will do great things for Him who lives in you! Find some old PARENTS to encourage you and who can look back over a life time and KNOW that He is faithful! Let their understanding encourage you!

Verses 15-17 John gets back to business.  

How do we minister to the world without living in it?

How do we reach the world without being of the world?

In studying this passage so many take this to a place of isolation and separateness. 

How does this section or passage connect with the first section of this chapter?

If we think about what the first 11 verses in chapter 2 said, and then read this passage, does that change your thoughts on it?

I am confident the conversation in class about this section will be amazing!  

In closing, I believe we are to live with an understanding that this is not our home, nothing here is to become so important to us that we desire it more than we desire to be with Jesus!  We are not to be part of this world!  This world is selfish and self centered, we are to be serving those around us and selfless.  This world takes and we are to give.  This world lusts and we are to love.  This world forgets that they are loved and redeemed and we are to remember!