I Write To You

I John 2:12-14

There is just something special about receiving a handwritten letter. Of course, it helps if you can read their handwriting. Putting pen to paper, regardless of the generation, requires time, effort, care, and thought. The words from a computer-generated letter may be identical to the handwritten one, but I promise you, the handwritten one will be more special to the recipient.

Part of this is because we read into the writing style. It is almost like non-verbal communication ques we interpret when we are talking to someone. There are extra pieces of data, not printed with words, that help us better understand what the writer is saying. It just adds a little something special to what the writer is saying. If you don't believe me, try it.

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I write to you, little children,

Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

I write to you, fathers,

Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

Because you have overcome the wicked one.

I write to you, little children,

Because you have known the Father.

I have written to you, fathers,

Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, young men,

Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,

And you have overcome the wicked one.

I John 2:12-14

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John begins by addressing the "little children". This is probably to all of the church. John is around 90 years old at this time, so he has the right to call almost anyone in the church a "little child". John is doing more than talking about age here. He uses a Greek word that can mean both "little children" and "darlings". In other words, this is a term of endearment. John wants to communicate that these "little darlings" are in the Father and that their sins have been forgiven them for His (Jesus) name's sake.

Twice (v. 13 and v. 14) John addresses "fathers". This is probably to the elders in the church. An elder should be spiritually mature. In their maturity, they know Him who is from the beginning. This is a reference to the eternality of Jesus. He was in the beginning with God (John 1:1). Since they know Christ more intimately, they can lead the less mature Christians in the church, as a father leads his children.

Like the fathers, John also addresses the "young men" twice as well (v. 13 and v. 14). This is probably a reference to anyone who is not an elder. As a child, they are in the Father. As "young men", they are capable of working and going to battle. This are not little kids. They are those that armies are made up of. John tells them that they are strong, the Word of God abides in them, and they have overcome the wicked one. They still need the guidance of the "fathers", but they are ready to labor for the Lord.

All of us are "little children" or "darlings" to God. However, we should also be the young men or elders. We should not want to stay as little children in maturity. We should grow in our knowledge and wisdom of God. We should walk stronger and more surefooted in the Christian life as we mature. We will always be "darling" to God, but we do not have to stay babies.

Father, I thank You that we can grow and mature in You. Sometimes we refuse to grow. Other times we think we are more mature than we really are. Helps us to have an honest and humble view of where we are. May we grow and mature in You!