From the Pen of Paul:
“Little Children, Young Men, and Fathers: Three Stages of the Christian Life”
“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 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. 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” (I John 2:12-14).
There have been a lot of questions asked about these verses. Among those questions is, “In what sense is the references to “fathers, young men, and children” to be taken, literally or figuratively? Why did John use the present tense, “I write,” the first three times, and past tense, “I have written,” in the last three? [If the reader is interested in pursuing this further, brother Guy N. Woods, in his commentary on I John, lists a number of other questions about these verses.]
A variety of answers have been offered. Space does not allow going into a great deal of detail at this time; however, I believe we have an example of Hebrew parallelism, where the same thing is repeated for sake of emphasis. In both instances, the things that John says, “I write,” and the things that he says, “I have written,” refer to this epistle. The terms John uses to address his readers must refer to three stages of development in the Christian's life. If these terms are to be taken literally, many Christians would be left out, such as old men or women. Thus, I believe they are used figuratively to describe three stages of development in the Christian life.
First there is the stage of “newborn babes” or infancy. New Christians are called “babes in Christ” (I Cor. 3:1; Heb. 5:12-13; I Pet. 2:1-2). This is often a difficult time in which a Christian is still more carnal than spiritual and needs to focus on the “milk of the word” (Heb. 5:12-13). New Christians can take encouragement from John because their sins have been forgiven in Christ (v. 12), and because they have known the Father (v. 13). Forgiveness of sins is based upon the blood of Christ, and our willingness to be obedient to the Gospel. It is not based upon maturity and perfection. And, even though “babes” they can still have fellowship with the Father and the Son, which is John's definition of “eternal life” (John 17:2-3). They may be “babes,” but they have “eternal life,” and John wants them to continue to believe (I John 5:13).
When a “babe in Christ” feeds upon the “sincere milk of the word,” keeps walking in the light, and remains in fellowship with the Father and Son, it will not be long before he enters another stage of his life as a Christian. John calls this stage, “young men.” This phrase refers to all, male or female, young or old, who are “strong in the Lord” (v. 14). They have “overcome the wicked one” (v. 13). This does not mean that they are without sin, but that their faith has had time to mature and be tested, and they have demonstrated that they truly are “born of God” (I John 4:4; 5:4-5). The source of their strength is the word of God. Only as the word of God abides in them are they strong (v. 14). David also saw the value of letting the word of God abide in his heart (Psalm 119:11).
As he meets the test of his faith time and again, he becomes stronger and stronger in the Lord; they grow into the third and final stage of the Christian life, that of maturity. John refers to them as “fathers.” This term likely refers to Christians (male and female) who have reached the highest stage of the Christian life. They have supplied the virtues given by Peter in II Peter 1:5-8. The term suggests that they have had a great deal of experience in living the Christian life and they have produced spiritual offspring by leading them to Christ (I Cor. 2:14-15). They have “known Him who is from the beginning” (v.14). The reference is likely to Jesus, who “was from the beginning” (I John 1:1; John 1:1-2).
The Christian life is similar to the physical life; there are three distinct stages of development in each. Only by growing does one pass from one stage to the next, and when growth does not occur, there is a serious problem (Heb. 5:12-13). Thus, we have Peter's exhortation to “grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:18). There are three stages in the life of a Christian. Each stage has its blessings to be enjoyed. But “little children” need to become “young men,” and “young men” need to become “fathers.” Are you growing and progressing as you should?
—Paul M. Wilmoth
From the Preacher’s Viewpoint. . .
“Were the founding fathers of our country fleeing religious oppression when they came here?”
The first settlers of this country came here for a number of reasons. Two of the major ones were, first, to be free from oppression in general, and second, to enjoy religious freedom.
When our constitution was written, those writing it were for religious freedom. They felt that each man had the right to serve God as he saw fit. I am a strong believer in religious freedom.
I am truly convinced that our nation has drifted a long way from what our forefathers had in mind.
The atheist, the secular humanist, and radicals of our country would have us to think that those who wrote the constitution were ignoramuses. High morals and principles of truth were taught in our public schools. These truths and morals found in the Bible cannot be taught anymore in the secular schools, colleges, and universities of our land. It is argued by some that they disobey the constitution and take away one’s constitutional rights. Strange indeed! The men who wrote the constitution encouraged prayer, Bible reading and high morals in connection with education. Now the public schools of our land cannot read the Bible, have prayer, and teach the high and lofty morals and ideals of the sacred Scriptures. On the other hand, they (especially higher education) permit drinking, cussing, living together out of wedlock, teaching evolution and other such like things with the approval of many of our high government officials.
Is it not obvious that we have drifted a long way from what our founding fathers and lawmakers had in mind? Could it be that some of our representatives in government have sold us down the river? Do they no longer care for the wishes of the people whom they are supposed to represent?
The Supreme Court has overstepped its limits at times. The highest court of our land is not to legislate law, but to interpret the law. The Supreme Court has gone beyond the interpretation of the law, in that they have made new laws and have laid aside some laws which have existed since this nation came into being.
The people of this nation through the process of law should rise up as one man and set our country back in order. We have let a handful of godless dissenters overrule and override long enough. On the other hand, if we are content to let things remain as they are, then we do not deserve any better!
—Malcolm L. Hill