I have little things on my mind, like, the possibility of adopting another dog…to the Scripture in front of me…to what I am doing next…to the text I should send…swirling.
I think it is very easy for us (people who walk with the King) to get very down on ourselves for not being better, not being farther, and not being perfect. After speaking with a dear friend yesterday, I realize that I often allow the input of others to supersede the voice of Jesus. That impacts how I feel, how I look at myself and how I interact with God.
So, to this passage in 1 John 2, John picks up the theme of his reasons for writing again. Declaration after declaration. Let’s jump in.
“I am writing to you, little children (believers, dear ones), because your sins have been forgiven for His name’s sake [you have been pardoned and released from spiritual debt through His name because you have confessed His name, believing in Him as Savior]. I am writing to you, fathers [those believers who are spiritually mature], because you know Him who has existed from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men [those believers who are growing in spiritual maturity], because you have been victorious and have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children [those who are new believers, those spiritually immature], because you have come to know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has existed from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, and the word of God remains [always] in you, and you have been victorious over the evil one [by accepting Jesus as Savior].”
1 John 2:12-14 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1jn.2.12-14.AMP
- Your sins have been forgiven…on account of his name. My debt is paid, because I confess His name.
- The word “fathers” are those who are spiritually mature, the hallmarks of this position are that we have come to know Jesus, who is from the beginning. (This is repeated two times in this section.)
- The words “young men” are those who are growing IN spiritual maturity. I think most of us land here, intentionally growing, moving towards Christ. Where we are setting aside the thoughts that so easily entangle, and keep training to fix our eyes.
- John declares to the young, you are strong. God’s words remains always in you. There is victory over the evil one, because of Jesus Christ and our acceptance of him
Which brings me back to what I began this writing. That second paragraph. We need to ply ourselves with the truth and begin to recognize all we have on account of HIS name. When the lies are whispered, this is time for declarations. I am forgiven. My debt is paid. I am growing. I am strong (not in and of myself, let’s be clear). God’s word is within me. I have the sword of the Spirit (the word of God) IN me.
And finally, I have victory over the chains of lies and entrapments set up to bring me down. Why? I have Jesus.
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