(1John 2:12) I am writing (present tense) to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven
you for His name’s sake.
(1John 2:13) I am writing (present tense) to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from
the beginning.
(1John 2:13) I am writing (present tense) to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
(1John 2:13) I have written (aorist tense) to you, children, because you know the Father.
(1John 2:14) I have written (aorist tense) to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from
the beginning.
(1John 2:14) I have written (aorist tense) to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of
God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
John is talking about and highlighting the stages of spiritual growth. We are commanded to grow spiritually. The apostle Peter writes in his second letter: Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is not a suggestion from Peter, it is a command. You Must grow.
What John is saying that no matter where you are in your spiritual growth, what I am writing will pertain to you. The apostle Paul laid out the ultimate goal for spiritual growth and maturity in Philippians 3:12-14. I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
William Barclay - John has been warning his people of the perils of the dark and the necessity of walking in the light and now he says that in every case their best defense is to remember what they are and what has been done for them. No matter who they are, their sins have been forgiven; no matter who they are, they know him who is from the beginning; no matter who they are, they have the strength which can face and overcome the Evil One.
John writes about…
1. Our Sin 2.Our Scholarship 3.Our Strength
When John says I am writing he is thinking of what he is at the moment writing and of what he still has to say; when he says I have written he is thinking of what has already been written and his readers have already read. The sense would then be that the whole letter, the part already written, the part being written and the part still to come, is all designed to remind Christians of who and Whose they are and of what has been done for them. For John it was of supreme importance that the Christian should remember the status and the benefits he has in Jesus Christ, for these would be his defense against error and against sin. (William Barclay's Daily Study Bible)
Why does John use repetition? It may be as simple that as a good teacher John knows the value of repetition. Repetition is a key to teaching – I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – I’m writing now, as I have written before.
John was writing to believers of all ages. The "children" had experienced forgiveness through Jesus. Those who were "mature in the faith" had a long-standing relationship with Christ. The "young in the faith" had battled with Satan's temptations and had won. Each stage of life in the Christian walk builds upon the other. As children learn about Christ, they grow in their ability to win battles with temptation. As young adults move from victory to victory, they grow in their relationship with Christ. The mature in Christ, having known Christ for years, have developed the wisdom needed to teach young people and start the cycle all over again. (Life Application Study Bible) Wherever you are on your growth journey in God, John Wrote a Word for you!
Intro: A little boy fell out of the bed in his sleep. His father picked him up and put him back in bed. He asked him, "Son, what happened?" The little boy responded, "I fell asleep too close to where I got in." I believe that describes too many Christians today...they have fallen asleep too close to where they got in. They are not in danger of falling out of salvation...but they have made no spiritual progress since they were saved.
I. Our Sin - I write unto you, little children, v. 12. He addresses the children in Christianity upon two accounts: (1.) Because their sins were forgiven them for his name's sake, v. 12. Sins are forgiven for God's name's sake, for the praise of his glory, upon the account of the redemption that is in him. God has a “great name” (1 Samuel 12:22 says the Lord will not forsake His people for his great name’s sake). Fifteen times the phrase “For My name’s sake” appears in the Bible (NKJV). God’s name extols His character. His integrity, reputation, holiness, and even His glory are all closely linked to His name. When the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, promising to give to his descendants a specific land, seed, and blessing forever, He had the power to make the promise and to keep it. David declares in Psalm 23, “He makes me… He leads me… He restores my soul…for His name’s sake.” (2.) Because you have known the Father, v. 13. Every Christian must and do know God. They shall all know me, from the least to the greatest, Hebrews 8:11.
II. Our Scholarship - I write unto you, fathers (v. 13,14). The apostle immediately passes from the bottom to the top of the school, from the lowest form to the highest, that those in the middle may hear both lessons, may remember what they have learned and perceive what they must come to: I write unto you, fathers. Those that are of longest standing in Christ's school have need of further advice and instruction; the mature in Christ must be written to and preached to; none are too long in the faith to learn. He writes to them upon the account of their scholarship: I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning, v. 13,14. They know the Lord Christ, particularly him that was from the beginning; as 1:1. As Christ is Alpha and Omega, so he must be the beginning and end of our Christian knowledge. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, Philippians 3:8. David said, “I have been young and now I am old and I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread.”
ILLS: Rick warren wrote this about spiritual growth in his book, The Purpose Driven Life. “It takes years for us to grow to adulthood, and it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. The development of Christ like character cannot be rushed. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes time. When you try to ripen fruit quickly, it loses its flavor. In America, tomatoes are usually picked before they are ripe so they won’t bruise during shipping to the stores. Then, before they are sold, these green tomatoes are sprayed with CO2 gas to turn them red instantly. Gassed tomatoes are edible, but they are no match to the flavor of a vine-ripened tomato that is allowed to mature slowly.” So, let us be like the Hebrew writer (12:2) let us look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…
III. Our Strength - I write unto you, young men, v. 13,14. These are those that have arrived at the strength of spirit and sound sense and can discern between good and evil. The apostle applies to them upon these accounts: (1.) Upon the account of being soldiers they are in the camp of Christ: Because you have overcome the wicked one, v. 13. There is a wicked one that is continually warring against souls, but those that are well taught in Christ's school can handle the evil one. James says (4:7) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (2.) Upon the account of their strength, discovered in this their achievement: Because you are strong, and you have overcome the wicked one, v. 14. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (3.) Because the word of God abideth in you, v. 14. The word of God must abide in every disciple; it is the supply of strength to them; it is the weapon by which they overcome the wicked one; the Sword of the Spirit and the Shield of Faith whereby they quench his fiery darts. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
