I John 2:13 (Part 3)

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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.

THE STUDY:

          As I have mentioned in the past, when it comes to studying the word of God, there are certain techniques to use. One of those techniques is looking at a passage of scripture in different versions (ESV, NASB, NIV, and such). This passage of scripture is a great example of the reason why we should do this. In the NRSV verse 13c is found at the beginning of verse 14. Some translators put it there due to the symmetry dealing with “Children, Fathers, and young men” found in verses 12-14 whereas others have it at the end of verse 13. Why is this so significant? It’s due to the fact that children is not the same Greek word found in verse 12 as it is in verse 14. The Greek word in verse 14 is a term of endearment to express his tender love to all his readers regardless of age.

          Moving on we see John saying basically the same thing that was mentioned at the beginning of verse 13. But John is hammering home a point to the reader. This understanding of “Knowing the Father” is reflected in three aspects: (1) a person who welcomes Jesus, (2) a message (doctrine) that is accepted and acted on, (3) and a life that is lived for.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away with this thought in mind, Have you welcomed Jesus into your life? Have you accepted and acted in accordance with the message of Jesus Christ? Finally, are you living for Jesus? These questions need to be answered.

 

CONCLUSION:

          What I find, in many cases, is people love what Jesus can do for them. They accepted “almost” all of Jesus’ teachings and they have given “most” of the keys to their life over to Him. But, the full surrender and the “KNOWING OF THE FATHER” is not there. Jesus Paid it all so in turn for us to receive this free gift of salvation all Jesus is asking is our ALL. John writes this epistle to those who know the father. Do you know Him like they do? Part of “knowing God” is “letting God.”

A young man, who was struggling to let the Lord have His way in his life, knelt to pray. He had been advised to “Let God do the work for him.” But as he was kneeling, he cried, “I want to let God have His way, but I can’t.”

The day before he had cut out of pasteboard the letters “LET GOD” and tacked them on the wall. He rose from his knees and with a feeling of defeat and despair, he left the room and slammed the door with a bang, saying, “I can’t “LET GOD.””

On his return to his room, he was startled to note that the slam of the door had loosened the letter D on the word GOD, causing it to fall to the floor, and changing the motto to “LET GO.”

“I will, I will, Lord Jesus,” he cried and threw himself on his knees at the side of his bed. “I will “Let go,” and “Let God,”” and he did.

         

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod