Lesson 7       

An Admonition To Every Class of Believer

1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Every Christian, in whatever stage of development, can reap rich rewards from the study of God's Word. The simplest Bible truth or passage is a source of unending riches to the constantly growing Child of God. Even the blessings of Revelation are promised to the one who 'reads and hears'. Then, when one understands, it is as an extra blessing!
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

V 12 Little Children - teknon - 'Little born ones'
A. Because your sins are forgiven (perfect tense - aphieme - to send away.)
The 'putting away' of sin was accomplished at the cross for all times.

Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. As the scapegoat was led away into the wilderness bearing the sins of the people and was never to return.

Isa 43:25 - I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
1. For His name's sake - Salvation is to the praise of God's goodness and honesty and power. There is nothing left for man to boast about.

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
B. Salvation leaves us with an obligation. John desires that even the new-born babe in Christ is aware of his duties to God.

V 13 To you fathers - You have known - Refers to knowledge gained by experience. Every day we live and every blessing we experience increases our responsibility to God.
To you, young men - Those filled with the vigor of life - Often used to refer to soldiers.
1. The wicked one - There are two words in the Greek used to denote wicked ones - 'kakos' - those who wallow in their own corruption, and 'porneros' - those who would seek to corrupt others. This is the word used here in reference to the Devil.
2. 'You have overcome him! Those mature Christians who have fought the battle with him for control of their lives and stand with their foot on his neck.
To you little children - 'paidion' - Children under instruction - ( I have written this unto you - the tense changes here - and this phrase really belongs to
V 14. A repeating and strengthening of what he has just said.

V 15 To all - the young, old and babes in Christ
1. Love not the world. The ordered system -

2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 'kosmos' -

John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. This admonition covers all the philosophies and vanities of the world that are used to entice men. Love NOT - literally,
stop loving the world!
2. Neither the things that are in the world. "

2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
3. The love of the Father is not in him. God's hatred for the sins of the world will not permit His love to dwell within a heart that loves the world.

V 16 All that is in the world. These three things alone are offered to entice men to sin. Eve was tempted in these three ways - (eyes - good to look at - flesh - good to eat - pride - able to make one wise.) Christ was tempted in ALL POINTS like as we are . His threefold
temptation covered the whole offering of the world.

V 17 The transitory nature of the world and lust - ( Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last') He that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

Next Week - The urgency and importance of abiding in Christ