Hello and welcome to Beauty – the no-frills, no-nonsense podcast about all things beauty. True beauty. God’s beauty. I am your host, Deanna, and today we are wrapping up the second week of our 1 John study. We are in chapter two, verses 12-14, and you know the drill – press pause so you can take the time you need to read and write this passage of scripture.
All week, we have talked about sin, obedience, and love – and today, we are going to tie a pretty bow on top…until Monday, when we will unwravel it again with talk about love of the world, the antichrists, and how to recognize God.
Today’s verses address children, fathers, and young men – but John is addressing these as levels of spiritual growth. In one of my commentaries, it says John is addressing “ranks of disciples,” and I loved that imagery. If you look around you at church on Sunday, you will realize we are not all at the same place on the journey.
John addressed the little children first. These would be the new Christians. This group is usually very curious and hungry for truth. I have to believe John speaks to them first from a place of encouragement, so they knew they were seen and so they could learn from what he would say to those further along on their journey. All believers start here – forgiven and excited to know the forgiver.
John addresses the most faithful next – the people who are mature in faith. But even though they have a lifetime of knowledge and experience, they still have room to grow. Remember, we never fully arrive this side of heaven.
I love that John spoke first to the new Christians and then to the mature ones because it leaves everyone else in the middle. These are the people still traveling a road that seems not to end, and they get to hear everything John has to say.
The enemy seeks to kill, steal, and destroy, but all Christians, no matter where they are on their journey, can be taught to defeat him – not in their own strength, but in the strength of the Lord. We get this strength by knowing the word of God. This is the weapon used against the enemy. This is what every Christian needs to hear and be reminded of with each step on their journey.
So, how does this tie into what we have been reading all week?
Great question. I’m glad you asked!
Prior to this specific address, John talks about obedience and love - abiding in God and walking in his ways. Being forgiven draws us closer to God and gives us the desire to obey him. When we obey him, we are choosing a life of love, which goes beyond simple kindness – and that, my friends, is a beautiful thing.
Your homework tonight (and this weekend) is to catch up on any lessons you missed (see the videos on IG) and then think about your own journey of faith. Where are you? Are you a new Christian? An emerging disciple? Or a mature Christian? What have you learned so far on your journey? Where do you need to grow? What do you need to take the next step?
I can't wait to hear where you are on your journey, so be sure to share!
D 😊
