The Whole Family

View daily reading plan: 1 John 2.12-17

John was encouraging love, and he again addresses the whole family of God with this term of affection, “little children”, dear children (v.12). These were people who were abiding in the light and proving it in their lives, and so with confidence he says, “your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake”. John had already mentioned His precious blood and the propitiation, and therein lies the basis of our blessing, “God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph 4.32).

That forgiveness is the possession of the whole family at whatever stage a believer may be and John is about to highlight three phases of development among God’s children.
 
Some are “little children”, recently saved and still immature (vv.13,18). Some are “young men”, saints who had developed spiritually by allowing God’s word to abide in them (vv.13,14). Some are “fathers” (v.13), believers who had been on the Christian pathway for a lengthy period and had attained maturity.

There never comes a point when we have “arrived” spiritually, but a stage can come when fewer exhortations are necessary. It is wonderful to know that elderly believers can “still bring forth fruit in old age” (Ps 92.14).

Wednesday, 1 May, 2024