Grace to you and peace from God the Father. All thanks be to God who has given us the privilege to study at his feet and even as we continue to see lessons from the book of 1 John, he would cause his words to dwell richly in our hearts. Amen. In our last study, we saw from scripture the need to walk in love and not otherwise and how that walking in love is a proof that we are in the light while hating a fellow brother means that we walk in darkness, right? Today, we shall be considering something very different.
Let's see the passage of scripture below,
"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. [13] I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. [14] I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. [15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" ( 1 John 2:12-17).
He begins by stating some categories of persons he was writing to and while this may not have the literal meaning of Father, Children, and young men, most people believe that what the apostle John seeks to explain here by this is the various level of spiritual growth. That is, that of conversion and the beginning of a new walk in Christ ( children), those who have have not only known him and whose sins have been forgiven but have learnt of him and are walking in him such that they are not easily deceived ( young men).
He also addresses those who have been with him from the beginning or known him and he refers to them as Fathers. The lesson to learn from this by virtue of this interpretation is that we are not to remain where it is we have always been but to seek for growth and development, that is, grow to a point where our knowledge of God can't be tampered with. Spiritual growth therefore is necessary for us as believers. The apostle John also wanted them to understand something important and it didn't matter whether they were children, young men and fathers. This means that the reason he wrote to each category was to send a very important message to them, not to love the world.
The world here does not refer to the people as seen in John 3:16 but rather the systems and practice that negate the word of God. While we are to love the people and show to them God's love, we are not to embrace their practices, else, it shows that the love of God our Father is not in us. Why should we love the world, that is, set our affection on things on the earth when all that is in it is not of the Father (vs 16)? The world passeth away and all that is in it but it is he who does the will of the Father who abides forever. Is the love of the Father truly in you as his son? Hasn't the love of the world and the things in it taken his place in your heart? The Lord cause his words to dwell richly in our hearts. Amen.
Thought for the day: Dear believer, to set your affection on things on earth is a proof that the love of God is not in you and if only in this world you have hope, you are of all men the most miserable because the world and everything in it will surely pass away.
Gospel Today is a comforting, exhorting, edifying and inspiring devotional published by the Delightsome Land Christian Ministry. For questions, enquiries/testimonies, please call/WhatsApp: 08174915361, 08053662272 or Email: [email protected].
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