1 John Episode 5 Growing in Christ While Living in the World

In Episode 5, we explore 1 John 2:12–17, where John reminds believers of their identity in Christ before warning them about the dangers of loving the world. Discover what it means to know the Father, grow in spiritual maturity, overcome through God's Word, and guard your heart against the world's values. This episode encourages us to focus on what is eternal and to find our deepest security and joy in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to episode five of our journey through the first epistle of John as we continue to explore this deeply practical letter. One of the things I've noticed about John is that he has the heart of a loving pastor. Throughout this letter, he encourages us, he challenges us, he corrects us, but he never leaves us discouraged. Whenever John speaks about the challenges of the Christian life, he always reminds us first of who we are in Christ. I think that's something we all need to remember. Our identity comes before our responsibility. What Christ has done for us comes before what he asks of us. As we come to today's passage, John does exactly that. Before warning us about the dangers of loving the world, he reminds us of the incredible privileges we already possess as followers of Jesus. John addresses three groups of people: little children, fathers, young men. Some commentators believe John is referring to three different age groups within the church. Others believe he's describing three stages of spiritual maturity. Personally, I think there is wisdom in both views. The important thing is not deciding exactly which interpretation is correct. The important thing is recognizing that every believer is growing. Some are new in their faith, some have walked with Christ for decades, others are in the middle of life's battles, learning to stand firm. John has something to say to all of us. John begins with the words, I write to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name's sake. The Greek word is technia. We've come across this word before. It's a tender family expression. John isn't speaking as an authority looking down on people. He's speaking as a spiritual father who deeply loves God's family. Notice where he begins. He begins with forgiveness, not with failure, not with guilt, not with performance, forgiveness. The Greek verb John uses speaks of something that has already been accomplished, with continuing results. In other words, because of Christ's finished work on the cross, our sins have been forgiven, and we continue to live in the blessing of that forgiveness. How often we need to remind ourselves of that truth. There are many Christians who continue carrying guilt that Jesus has already carried to the cross. John wants believers to live with assurance, not arrogance, but confidence. Confidence in what Christ has already accomplished. John then reminds them, you have come to know the Father. Once again he uses the Greek word ginosco. This is relationship language. Christianity isn't simply believing a creed, it is knowing the Father personally. Over the years, one of the greatest joys of my Christian life has been discovering that my relationship with God continues to deepen. When I first became a Christian, I knew God primarily as my Savior. As the years passed, I began to know Him as my shepherd, then as my provider, my comforter, my guide, my strength. Like every healthy relationship, our knowledge of God grows through experience. Every season of life reveals another aspect of his faithfulness. John then writes, I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. Interestingly, John repeats exactly the same statement twice. That repetition tells us something. The greatest characteristic of spiritual maturity is not how much we know, it is who we know. The fathers have spent years walking with Christ. They have experienced his faithfulness through changing circumstances. Perhaps they've known disappointment. Perhaps they've buried loved ones. Perhaps they've endured persecution. Yet through it all, they have continued walking with Jesus. I've had the privilege of meeting older believers whose lives quietly radiate Christ. They aren't trying to impress anyone. Their confidence isn't in themselves. It rests in the one they have walked with for many years. That I think is what John is describing. As I reflect on my own journey, now having followed Christ for many decades, I find that my confidence isn't based on having all the answers. It is based upon knowing the one who does. Life has taught me that Christ has never failed me. John next speaks to the young men. I write to you because you have overcome the evil one. The Greek word translated overcome is Nikao. It means to conquer, to prevail, to gain the victory. Notice that John doesn't simply encourage them to overcome. He says they already have, not because they're naturally strong, but because Christ has already won the decisive victory through his death and resurrection. John adds, You are strong and the word of God abides in you. I find that interesting. He doesn't say their strength comes from personality, education, or talent. Their strength comes because God's word lives within them. The Greek word meno translated abides means to remain, dwell, or continue. The scriptures weren't something they occasionally visited. The word had taken up residence in their heart. That's where spiritual strength comes from. I've often found that the believers who remain spiritually steady aren't necessarily the most gifted. They're the ones who have allowed God's word to become part of their daily lives. When difficulties come, scripture is already living within them. John now changes direction. Do not love the world or the things in the world. At first that sounds surprising. After all, the Bible says God so loved the world. So what does John mean? The Greek word is cosmos. John uses this word in several ways throughout his writings. Sometimes it refers to creation, sometimes to humanity. Here it refers to the world's value system, a way of living independently of God. John isn't telling Christians to withdraw from society, nor is he telling us not to enjoy God's creation. He's warning us against allowing the world's priorities to shape our hearts. John explains what he means. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life. These three descriptions cover much of human temptation. The Greek word translated lust is epithymia. It simply means a strong desire. Not every desire is sinful, but when our desires begin controlling us instead of God, they become dangerous. The lust of the flesh describes desires that seek immediate satisfaction apart from God's will. The lust of the eyes speaks of coveting what we see. Always wanting more, always comparing, always believing that happiness is just one more purchase, one more achievement, or one more experience away. Then John speaks about the pride of life. The Greek expression is a alazonia tubiou. It describes boasting in what we possess, our achievements, our status, our success, our independence. How relevant that is today. We live in a culture that constantly encourages us to build our identity around image, possessions, followers, career, or success. John gently reminds us that none of those things can satisfy the deepest needs of the human heart. John finishes this section with a remarkable contrast. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. John reminds us that everything around us is temporary. Careers end. Money disappears. Possessions wear out. Popularity fades. Even our physical bodies grow older. The only thing that ultimately lasts is our relationship with Christ. I've reached a stage in life where this truth becomes increasingly obvious. When we're young, it's easy to think life will always remain the same. But the years have a way of teaching us what really matters. The things that once seemed so important gradually lose their significance. Relationships matter, character matters, faithfulness matters, most of all, knowing Jesus matters. Everything else eventually passes away. As I look back over many years of following Christ, I can honestly say there have been many things that captured my attention for a season. Some achievements seemed incredibly important at the time. Some disappointments seemed overwhelming. Some possessions seemed valuable. Yet most of those things have faded into the background. What hasn't changed is Christ. His faithfulness has remained constant. His presence has remained constant. His love has remained constant. That's why John encourages us to keep our hearts centered on him. The world constantly competes for our affection. Jesus simply invites us to remain close to him, and I've discovered that the closer we walk with him, the less attractive the world becomes. John's words are both encouraging and challenging. He reminds us that we are forgiven. We know the Father. We have overcome through Christ. His word lives within us. Those truths give us confidence. But John also lovingly reminds us to guard our hearts. Don't allow temporary things to become eternal priorities. Hold the things of this world lightly. Hold on to Christ firmly, because when everything else has passed away, He remains. Until next time, may your love for Christ continue to grow, may His word abide richly in your heart, and may you discover that the greatest treasure in life is simply knowing Him.