In this passage of scripture, John focuses his attention to three distinct groups of Christians. John addresses new Christians, more established Christians, and those in the middle, in a specific order. He then, in a similar fashion, converses with each once more, in a similar request. New Christians are prompted to remember their absolution through Christ. The more seasoned Christians are reminded of their confidence and trust in an everlasting God. And then others, are reminded of their spiritual sturdiness to survive the battles with the “wicked one.”
It is additionally an admonition from John about un-Christian perspectives. Various parts of this chapter talk about how their conduct furnishes proof of their partnership with God. Here, John clarifies that desires and thoughts do exactly the same thing. Since these are enticements, it is workable for a genuine Christian to coincidentally find them. In any case, constantly showing these desires and thoughts are a reason for concern. Love of the world is characterized here as physical desires, desires in our thoughts, and haughty pride.
John was writing so that he could stay connected with the believers, regardless of age, who had received forgiveness of their sins from Jesus. These that he refers to as “little children” I believe are all of the people who had come to know Christ on a personal level.
The “fathers,” were the older men that were mature in their faith and had a relationship with Christ for a long time. The “young men,” were those who had battled with the allurements and temptations from Satan’s and had won. The next “little children,” were the young men and young ladies that had accepted Christ and were simply starting their spiritual lives. Each phase of life expands upon the other.
As youngsters learn about and accept Jesus as their Savior, they begin to grow in their capacity to fight off temptations and win spiritual battles. As the young grown-ups move from one triumph to another, their relationship with Christ grows. More seasoned (mature) grown-ups, having known Christ for a really long time, have fostered the insight they are expected to show to the youngsters and to begin the cycle all once more. Have we grown in our Christian faith, and have we reached the suitable maturity in our faith? Are we daily striving to achieve maturity in our faith or are we still babes in Christ? (Philippians 3:7-11; Ephesians 4:10-16) Are we still feeding on the milk of the Word or have we matured enough to get into the meat of God’s Word? (1 Corinthians 1:28-29; 1 John 3:19-24)
• Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
• 1 Corinthians 6:11, And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
• 1 John 1:1, That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
Certain individuals feel that being worldly is only restricted to our external conduct, the individuals that we deal with, the areas that we may go to, and the things that we get enjoyment from. Being worldly is additionally an internal issue, for it starts in our hearts. It is portrayed from three perspectives. The principal demeanor is the “lust of the flesh.” This is in being preoccupied with satisfying or gratifying our physical desires. The subsequent disposition is the “lust of the eyes.” This is in being materialistic, coveting things, wanting and the collection of stuff that we think we need. The third is the “pride of life.” This is the fixation on our personal significance and status in society.
At the point when Eve was allured by the serpent (Genesis 3:6), he enticed her in these same there. Likewise, when Jesus was led into the wilderness, these were the three areas of assault that the Devil used (Matthew 4:1-11).
By comparison, God values having self-control, having a generous disposition, and service with a humble heart. It is feasible to stay away from the pleasures of this world while as yet holding onto worldly pleasures within our hearts. It is additionally conceivable, similar to Jesus, that a Christian can love and associate with the unbelievers and invest energy with them while keeping up with the God's Kingdom values. What values do we find most important to us? Do our activities mirror the values of the world or the values of God?
The world can fill the believer’s heart with other things that keeps the Christian from God. The more the adoration for the world wins, the more the affection for God declines. At the point when our connection to our possession is strong, it is difficult to accept that what we want will one day die. It might even be harder to accept that the individual who does the desires of God will live for eternity. Nevertheless, this was John's conviction in view of current the realities of Jesus' life, his death, his resurrection, and his promises. Realizing that this malicious world and our cravings for its joys will end should give us the fortitude to keep doing God's will.
• Matthew 6:24, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
• Romans 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
• Proverbs 27:20, Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
• Romans 13:14, But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
