Fathers and Sons in the Family of God

Read 1 John 2:1-14.

The apostle John has laid out three signs by which we can determine if we are truly living life at its best—or, in other words, life as God designed it. We’ve looked at the first two signposts over the last couple days—whether we are obeying God’s will and whether we are abounding in His love. Today, we’ll examine the third signpost: abiding in God’s Truth revealed in His Word.

When John addresses fathers, young men, and children, he’s not really talking about age groups (see vv. 12-14). First, when he says, “dear children,” he’s addressing the whole congregation, the body of believers. “Fathers” are those who are mature in Christ, who have been walking with the Lord for a long time. The “young men” are those who are young in the faith. They are enthusiastic, strong, and infectious about their spiritual life—eager to grow in righteousness and to bring honor to Christ. These two groups have tremendous value for the building up of the Church.

John makes it clear that the mature Christian is under obligation to disciple these young believers. They “know him who is from the beginning” (vv. 13, 14), and they should lead the babes in faith to pursue deeper relationship with their eternal Father. After all, God has matured these faith fathers. He’s walked with them and blessed them so that they might also know the joy of being a blessing to others.

To those young in faith, John brings a message of encouragement and exhortation. In their enthusiasm and spiritual vigor, they are overcoming Satan and sin and are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. John teaches that the reason for their strength is God’s Word in them (see v. 14). So John is exhorting them, and us today, that the best life—a life of overcoming and living under the blessing of God—is experienced by knowing the Living God and His Word.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your Word. Through the Scriptures, You have revealed Yourself to me—Your love, justice, wisdom, mercy, grace, and more. I delight in Your Gospel and long to apply it to every aspect of my life. May I grow and mature in faith, letting Your Word dwell richly in me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.