I John 2:12-14 “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.”
In the Epistle of First John, he identifies three areas of spiritual development; “little children”, “fathers”, and “young men.” A close examination will reveal our state of development!
The first area of spiritual development is that of conversion as seen in the term, “little children.” In addressing those whom he considered “little Children”, John uses three descriptive phrases to say something about their conversion. John begins by saying something about their redemption, “your sins are forgiven.” He begins with the fundamental experience of the Christian life; the forgiveness of sin. Burdened by the guilt associated with the sin of missing the mark and failing to meet the righteous demands of a Holy God, we were in need of forgiveness. Our sin must be sent away, dismissed, or removed by another. John declares that the act has been accomplished, “are forgiven”; not will be, but “are.” Having been forgiven; that is the blessed and present state of the redeemed!
The means whereby this was accomplished is John’s second consideration, their redeemer, “for his name’s sake.” When John uses the word “for” it means the channel of an act or by reason of. The channel through and the reason for having our sin forgiven is, “his name’s sake.” A name is the substitute or the representative of a person. There is one and only one that can forgive sin and His name is Jesus (see Acts 2:21 & I Timothy 2:5-6).
John’s final consideration is the result of redemption and the redeemer; it is a relationship, “ye have known the Father.” When John said, “ye have known”, he is not only speaking of a past act, but he is speaking of knowledge or understanding that isn’t intuitive, but that which has been acquired experientially by means of an active relationship or interaction. The redeemed have entered into a relationship in which they know God as their Father (see Romans 8:15-16). There is something to notice about this relationship and it is emphasized by John’s choice of words for the term, “little children.” When speaking of redemption and the redeemer, the word John uses has the idea of a little child and is a term of affection. It emphasizes kindship and is the language of one that is nearly related to those he speaks. The word John uses when speaking of their relationship to the Father has the idea of subordination and placing one in a position under the authority of another due to age or experience. Jesus emphasized this when speaking of His relationship to the Father, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).
The first area of spiritual development is conversion which is marked by a sinless standing because of a sufficient Saviour while exhibiting a subordinate spirit.