1-21-2018 Immortal Maturation 1 John 2:12-14
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Introduction:
Gene A. Getz, in his book, The Measure of a Church, asks the question, "What is the measure of maturity in the church?" And he lists what others believe are the measure of maturity:
An active church (involving people in meetings and programs)
A giving church (supporting the church and efforts financially)
A growing church (new people coming and staying)
A soul-winning church (leading unbelievers to faith and baptism)
A smooth-running church (efficient and orderly)
A missionary-minded church (supports missionaries around the world)
A Spirit-filled church (enthusiastic, emotional)
A big church (large attendance, with many programs)
However, YHWH used Paul to give us a different measure for maturity of the church.
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Paul says that the church is mature when it functions like one body, where Jesus, the Christ, is the Head.
Spiritual maturation, both as one corporate body and as individuals, is the topic for our time here this morning
Transition:
And so on the subject of individual maturation, one preacher said it like this:
A little boy fell out of the bed in his sleep. His father picked him up and put him back in bed. He asked him, "Son, what happened?" The little boy responded, "I fell asleep too close to where I got in."
This boy’s answer just might describe many Christians today...they have fallen asleep too close to where they got in. They are not in danger of falling out of salvation...but they have made no spiritual progress since they were saved.
They have been saved but have stunted growth spiritually. They are the Italians of the Christians: short and stubborn!
The Apostle John has rebuked the false teachers and those who walk in darkness. Last week, we saw how some may even so deceive by their own sin that they might think that they are walking in the light. This week, John gives some needed relief from the scary statements of last week. John now pauses to reassure his readers that he is not questioning their salvation:
Scripture Reading:
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13 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. 14 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.
All of the verbs in these verses (except “I am writing” or “I write”) are PERFECT TENSE, which speak of action in the past resulting in an ongoing state of being or that the result of this verb is affecting the present. The emphasis of the perfect tense is not the past action so much as it is as such but the present “state of affairs” resulting from the past action—this technical grammar note will be important as we go through this together this morning.
John writes these verses to his readers here because he is sure of their salvation, their justification.
As the previous context addressed the false teachers, this context addresses the believer. There are four different titles given to believers: “little children,” “children” “fathers,” and “young men.” These three verses contain two sets of triplets that describe John’s readers as
little children τεκνίον - young elementary aged (v.12)
fathers πατήρ - aged, mature men (vv. 13-14) (our English word “father” come from this)
young men νεανίσκος - teens & 20s (vv. 13-14)
generic children παιδίον - probably older elementary (v.13)
These verses here are slightly poetic for the purpose of emphasis. In some translation, these verses are even spaced as stanzas just as one would expect from a free verse poem. The surrounding verses before and after our passage this morning have no poetic hint which support this literary change being there to grab our attention. The term ‘children’ likely refers not to age, but was a term of endearment that John used for all those to whom he was writing. Christ used the same words when speaking to his disciples (John 13:33). Many had come to Jesus through John’s ministry, so he called them his own “children.”
This section does not fit smoothly with the verse divisions: there is an order that remains the same (children, fathers, young men), although exactly what is said of them changes. This order repeats only twice with a verse division of three—in other words, I would have divided it by the two sets and only had two verses here.
order twice. It is possible that we are not dealing with three actual different age groups but a literary device describing the settled condition of all Christians at differing stages of maturation.
There are four things listed that believers know:
that their sins are forgiven, v, 12;
that through Christ they have overcome the devil (v. 13);
that they “know” they have fellowship with both the Father (v. 14) and the Son (vv. 13–14); and
that they are strong in the Word of God (v. 15).
This list is expressed grammatically in (1) the phrase “I am writing to you” and (2) the six ὅτι (because); therefore, my outline is loosely based on the syntax of this passage.
Transition:
But although it is clear that John is placing the responsibility on the believer to understand and live in light of these encouraging truths, it is easy to read this passage and miss the work of Holy Spirit inside each of us, based on the finished work of our Savior
I. YHWH Has Forgiven (v.12)
I. YHWH Has Forgiven (v.12)
(I am using the English Past Perfect tense here in my outline) First on the docket of what we ought to understand is forgiveness
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.
These true followers had in common the fact that their sins were forgiven because of Jesus’ work and the Father’s love. They had accepted the fact of their sinfulness, they also had confessed their sins, and now needed to meditate on how they had been forgiven because of Jesus’ death and payment on the cross.
“because” ὅτι is “because,” it gives the reason for his writing—affirmation and encouragement of salvation.
“your sins have been forgiven” Jesus’ ministry is mankind’s only hope for forgiveness (a present result of the past PERFECT PASSIVE INDICATIVE). They are living in a state of forgiveness. It is not a denial of sin, vv.1–2 makes it clear that his readers must have Jesus as intercession for their sins. However, as in 1:9, he uses the plural noun, "sins’, which as we discussed months ago, points to specific acts of sin rather than just sin in a generic sense or our sin nature through Adam. John is basically saying he knows that they are the ones who have confessed their sins and experienced their forgiveness and cleansing.
“for His name’s sake” In Hebrew understanding, the name equals the character and personality—You were named by who you were and how you acted. Yes, Jesus died for us, but YHWH forgave based on His character, not ours. They are forgiven, not because of their own righteousness, but through Jesus’ cleansing work. That is what John means by saying “for His name’s sake.”
But why does he use “His name” instead of just saying “Jesus”?
It is likely because John is focusing his readers on the character of Christ more than His purpose. The principle cause of their forgiveness is in the character of Christ, who gives it freely by being both our perfect sacrifice and our perfect Advocate. Thus we see that John is emphasizing forgiveness of sins is dependent solely on Jesus.
Transition:
II. YHWH is Being Known (v.13)
II. YHWH is Being Known (v.13)
He has revealed Himself and us believer know that and must understand that to the point that it changes us!
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.
In this verse John now moves to addressing his audience as “fathers” and “young men.” and then to “children”, but more in the general sense of the word children.
Fathers, then, describe the target readers as mature in their faith, these “fathers” know Christ, the one who is from the beginning, who is eternal. They have a longer experience with their faith and have knowledge to a degree that matches their maturity. Then moving to those title “young men/people”, the knowledge points out their acts/deeds: you have won your battle with Satan. John is emphasizing here that really all Christians must understand that they are in a constant spiritual war zone and that they are daily at battle with the forces of Satan in this life. In context, John could be referring to conquering the false teachers equates to the defeat of Satan. If that inference is true, then we can see the Apostle Paul’s backing [[1 Timothy 4:1–2]]
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,
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.
“Him who has been from the beginning” The PRONOUNS in I John are very ambiguous and can refer to God the Father or God the Son. In context this one refers to Jesus. It is a statement of pre-existence and, thereby, His deity (cf. John 1:1, 15; 3:13; 8:48–59; 17:5, 24; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6–7; Col. 1:17).
“the evil one” This is a reference to Satan, who is mentioned again in v. 14. Verses 13 and 14 are parallel on this portion.
“I write to you, children”
*The verse split should have been here! The Words of the Bible are inspired, not the divisions i.e. verses & chapters!
John repeats himself and adds to what he has said, changing from the present tense, “I am writing,” to the aorist, “I wrote.” He does this for literary purposes. The change from the present to the simple past could possibly be because either he is referring to an earlier letter or letters which did not make it into the canon of scripture, or this might be a literary device that is maybe indicating a change of perspective to structure these six declarations into a clear double set and then strengthens their connections through repetition. By this view, the unity of the three age groups is confirmed while their special distinctions are reinforced as well. Now, following the same pattern of the previous three statements, John continues to elaborate on his confidence in the readers’ faith and right standing before our LORD.
“because you know the Father” The biblical concept of “know” involves the Hebrew sense of intimate personal relationship and the Greek concept of “facts about.” The Gospel encompasses both a person to have an intimate personal relationship (Jesus), and a message (doctrine) to accept and act on, and a life to live.
Transition:
III. YHWH Conquered (v.14)
III. YHWH Conquered (v.14)
The only reason we can have any victory over satan and his demons is because our LORD has defeated him already
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.
Though the order remains the same (children, fathers, young men), what is said of them changes. It is these changes that should be noted in that John does so to draw attention to those things said, whether repeated or developed.
This verse essentially repeats the message of 2:13 to fathers but ams amplifies the message to young people. The overlap of the advice can be seen here where John wrote to you, children, because you have known the Father. The phrase refers to experiential knowledge. All Christians ought to have personal knowledge of God the Father through Jesus Christ his Son; otherwise, they cannot be believers. The mature believers know Christ, the one who is from the beginning. They have grasped that Christ is eternal, thus are not swayed by the false teachers. To the young people, John wrote that they are strong with God’s word living in them, and he repeated that they have won their battle with Satan. This strength is not the natural physical vigor of young people but the power of God’s Word in them through the Holy Spirit.
“you are strong” Notice that their strength is based on the abiding word of God. This is similar to Paul’s admonitions in Eph. 6:10–18. The abiding word is the gospel. It is both conceptual and personal, God initiated and individually received, both a decision and a discipleship, both truth and trustworthiness.
© “the word of God abides in you” This personifies the concept of the word of God (the gospel, cf. v. 24). This is an allusion to John 15. It is used in a negative sense in John 5:38 and 8:37.
“you have overcome the evil one” Here again, John writes with no ambiguity (this real victory is prevalent throughout the Gospel of John). This is a recurrent promise and warning which we’ll see more in the coming chapters of this epistle (cf. 2:14; 4:4, 5:4–5, 18–19). John again uses the past perfect tense, “have.” This grammar shows the battle won, although the war will not end until Jesus Christ returns. Because Christ has already defeated Satan, all Christians can go into the battle knowing that they are on the winning side (cf Romans 8:31–39; Ephesians 6:10–18; Colossians 2:15). Believers are victors already, but the battle is not yet finished—throughout the whole NT we read of this “already, but not yet” tension of the Kingdom of God being realized, yet we still struggle with sin, temptation, and persecution.
This overcoming is an emphasis on the perseverance of true saints. It is found again in vv. 17, 19, 24, 27, 28; 5:18; and 2 John 9. The security of the believer needs to be balanced with the truth that those who are truly redeemed will hold out until the end (cf. Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).
So What?
So What?
These three verses remind us that God the Father can be truly known by His children. For John, experiencing eternal life involves a thriving relationship with God the Father that is personal and contingent. Spiritual maturity is defined by that kind of relational knowledge rather than mere intellectual acknowledgment.
Biblical salvation issues from the love, mercy, and grace of a sovereign Triune God. No human can be saved without the initiation of the Spirit. The Deity must come first and set the way, but then that same Deity demands that humans must respond (with both faith and repentance), both initially and continually. The Great “I AM” works with mankind in a covenant relationship. There are infinite privileges, yet there are several responsibilities!
Our spiritual growth starting at the point of salvation is much like a marriage, when we “fall in love” and get married, we think that’s all there is to it. The longer we are married though, we realize that our love for one another is growing. This proves there is a lot more to a relationship with our Creator than just a “get out of jail/hell free card”
Conclusion:
Though we are all forgiven and “know” YHWH as His children, we also live in a dynamic world that still lies in the power of Satan. Yet, we live as victorious conquerors awaiting the return of our LORD. That should shape the way we think and act. As Paul commands us in Eph 5:1–2, we are to be “imitators of God as beloved children” and “walk in love” as Jesus did while He was on earth.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
We see this same exhortation in this epistle, introduced in the first verses of this chapter, and to be developed further in the chapters to come. As the forgiven children of YHWH who are imitating His Son’s walk, our goal should be daily dying to ourselves and daily overcoming Satan, and growing to the stable, mature faith of the “fathers” in these verses.
Just as there is no real get rich quick scheme that legitimately works, there are no shortcuts to maturity in the faith; rather, it is the result of years of learning about YHWH, communing with YHWH, and faithfully obeying Him day by day that brings about quality maturation. We can only do this by developing our relationship with God. Every day, read and pray. Every day, learn more about God from His Word. Every day, communicate with Him through prayer. None of us can become strong or mature any other way. “It is a divine-human cooperation” as Pastor Kimbrough would say. Spiritual maturity and sanctification is not automatic. It does not come with time alone and it is not by our efforts alone either. It is the culmination of a daily decision to walk with YHWH, to get to know Him better, and to spend more time with Him while allowing His Spirit to transform and conform. This is not something that is just theoretical or existential. It is practical, real, and even a little pragmatic. It is what we do for Him, think of Him, and say to Him in order to relate to Him personally.