John’s First Epistle

1 Jno. 2:12-14

Why Are You Writing John?

I am writing to you, little children,
    because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.

I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,
    and the word of God abides in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

1 Jno. 2:12-14

John was not writing this letter just because it was time to write another letter.

He was writing with very clear purposes in mind:

To those who had been forgiven, instruction and further encouragement was needed. To “fathers,” who knew Christ from the beginning, additional teaching held great value. Young men needed to hear from John to keep them from the evil one. Children needed to know their father. Young men needed to be strengthened by the Word of God, and be certain the Word of God was abiding in them.

Much of what John did was to strengthen, nourish and instruct men (young and old) in their respective duties and warn them about the evil one.

These needs remain today. Strong men. Good young men who live discreet lives. People with the Word of God abiding in them. Yes, these are urgent needs in our time.