Dig Deeper
In 1 John 2:12-14 John uses three common life-stages,
children, young men, and fathers, to demonstrate spiritual growth from new
convert to maturity. Of the young John declares, “you have overcome the evil
one” (1 John 2:13, 14b). Here John introduces one of his favorite themes, the Christian’s
certainty of victory. Bible scholar F.F. Bruce explains, “Of the 28 occurrences
of the verb nikan (“to overcome”) in
the New Testament, 24 are in John’s writings… Thus the victory motif is
peculiarly Johannine.”[1]
What insights about the Christian’s victory through
Christ are gleaned from the following Scriptures?
John 16:33--
1 John 2:13-14; 4:4; and 4:4-5--
Revelation 3:5, 12, 21; 12:11; 15:2-3; and 21:7--
How is victory a motivation for pursuing a deeper
walk with Christ? 1 John 2:14
Application
What life-stage best represents your present
relationship with God-- child (new-convert), youth, or father? What challenges
to growth are revealed in the following Scriptures?
Children--
1 Peter 2:2; 1 John 2:1, 12, 28--
Youth-- Romans
12:9-11; Titus 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:5; and Hebrews 5:12
Fathers-- 2
Timothy 2:2; Titus 2:1-5;
Memorize This
1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing you
these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an
advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the
propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the
whole world. HCSB
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