I hope that everyone is doing well. I'm still looking for more work. Please keep praying. The last I heard, many of the fires in the West were under control. I thank the Lord for this.
Last week, I focused on the importance of loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. John includes this in his list of those characteristics that demonstrate whether or not someone is truly walking in the light. The other characteristics we've seen in John are keeping the commandments of the Lord and not habitually committing sin.
In the verses we are studying in today's message, John is shifting his focus somewhat. John begins by saying that he is writing to little children because their sins have been forgiven.
Verses 12-14 say the same thing over again addressing little children, young men and fathers. Although it may not look like it on first reading, this is actually a rather controversial section of Scripture.
Some Bible scholars believe that the repetition occurs because John is trying to place added emphasis on this passage of material.
Other Bible scholars think that there is repetition in this passage due to a scribal error passed on in subsequent manuscripts. Conservative Bible scholars tend to reject this view because of the potential to place the doctrine of inerrancy in a negative light.
I think that those of you who read this blog know that I am at least moderately conservative theologically speaking. However, this second view seems very plausible to me.
The second area of disagreement is over what the meaning is of the groups mentioned. For instance, are the fathers, children, etc. actually chronological categories, or do these classifications represent spiritual categories. I tend to think that they represent spiritual categories.
Whatever the interpretation, the message of John in verses 12-14 is clear. We have been forgiven of our sin for Jesus' sake. If we are in Christ, we have known Him who is from the beginning. And if we are being faithful to Jesus, we have overcome the wicked one. Actually, we have overcome the evil one by the death and resurrection of Jesus. It's nothing we've accomplished or could ever accomplish on our own.
In verse 15, John changes course again when he says, "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." Once again John gives us another characteristic of someone who is a true follower of Jesus. A true follower of Jesus turns his back on the world and keeps his eyes focused on Jesus Christ.
John then goes on to tell his audience what love of the world consists of. The first characteristic of loving the world is the lust of the flesh. This phrase refers to those physical desires which are opposed to the will of God.
In Scripture, the Lord sets out a detailed system of sexual ethics. The New Testament is clear that any sexual activity outside of a marriage relationship between a man and a woman is contrary to the law of God. So many problems arise in individual lives and within entire societies when God's law in this area is ignored.
The second characteristic of the world is the lust of the eyes. One meaning of this phrase is greed. A worldly person is never satisfied with what the Lord has provided. The worldly individual is constantly desiring the accumulation of more and more. The greedy person doesn't care who he hurts or what law of God he violates to obtain that which his lust seeks to possess.
Jesus spoke about this in one of His parables. Jesus said that a man harvested a large crop that was so large his barns couldn't contain it. Instead of distributing his excess to the needy, the man tore down his barns and built bigger barns. Then he said that he would eat, drink and be merry. Jesus called this man a fool. Jesus said that life does not consist in the abundance of things one possesses.
John then speaks about the pride of life. This refers to a lack of humility. Some people think more highly of themselves that they ought to think. They believe that they can do whatever they wish without the help of God. They even think that they can obtain eternal life by their own merit.
John makes it clear that everything in the world is passing away. All of the material things that people strive for are of no eternal value. Only what is done for Christ will last.
Jesus talked about this as well. Jesus told His followers to lay up treasure in Heaven and not on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves break in and steal. Jesus also said that it is not possible to serve God and money. Money is the god of the world, and it too shall pass away.
So much of what people spend their lives on is of little value. Let us concentrate our efforts on serving God and turn away from the things of the world that are passing away. Amen.
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