Those Who Live Forever (Part 1 of 2)

1 John 2:12-17

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children, because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

The Black and White Difference Between True and False Christians

We've been going through the epistle of 1 John because it provides a black and white comparison between what a genuine Christian is and what a non-Christian is—even if that non-Christian claims to be a Christian. It's the difference between those who say they're Christians and actually are, and those who say they are but are not.

This is especially important for us as a youth group. Many people claim to be Christians—politicians, popular singers, performers. It's an easy term to throw around these days. Yet John says if we examine someone's life—or our own—we'll see if they truly are Christians. If you continue in sin, you're not a Christian. If you confess your sins and have the blood of Jesus Christ covering them, then you are.

In verses 7 through 11, we saw another dimension: a Christian obeys God. God has delivered a fixed law to all humanity, and his genuine people value it and love it because they love God. Jesus summarized God's law as loving God and loving others. So we must examine our lives: How much do we actually love God and others?

It's not enough to just say you're a Christian or that you love God. You can't repent from sin without affection for God and others—John says you're lying. And you can't just claim to love God and others without repenting from habitual sin. In verses 12-17, John gives reminders of what it means to be a Christian.

Reminders of Christian Identity

John addresses different groups as a spiritual father, emphasizing male headship positively while including all. He's writing so they know they're Christians, have joy, and won't sin. He reminds them of their identity in Jesus Christ.

Little Children: Sins Forgiven for His Name's Sake

John starts in verse 12: "I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake." This is a key New Testament concept. God saves us not because we deserve it or for our sake, but for his name's sake—for the glory of his name, to make it known and honored.

We're not saved so we can draw attention to ourselves; we're saved so attention goes to God's name. True Christians are those whose lives draw attention to God's name. Those who claim to be Christians but aren't don't.

How are you known? For sports, fashion, intelligence, grades? Those aren't bad, but is that all? Or are you known as one whose sins are forgiven for God's name's sake, so God is made known through your salvation?

If you think salvation is just escaping hell to go to heaven, that's incomplete. Those are means to an end: making God's name known.

Fathers: You Know Him Who Is from the Beginning

John says to fathers, "because you know him who is from the beginning." Genuine Christians know things about God, specifically Jesus Christ. There's a difference between knowing about someone and knowing them, but knowing someone means knowing facts about them.

How much do you know about Jesus? We ask this for church membership because we won't affirm someone as part of God's church if they have no clue who Jesus is. You don't need a theology degree, but do you know him who is from the beginning?

It makes it hard to say you love Jesus if you don't know much about him. Consider: How many natures does Jesus have? Humans have one, but Jesus has two—fully God and fully man. Church history condemned heresies like monophysitism (one nature) and monotheletism (one will). Have you believed something heretical about Jesus? Has it mattered to know what's true?

Young Men: You Have Overcome the Evil One

John writes to young men, "because you have overcome the evil one." The Greek word is nikao—victory, conquest (think Nike). Christians have already conquered Satan, the evil one.

This means Christians can't be possessed by demons—they have victory over Satan. Pentecostals talk about binding Satan, but Scripture says it's already done. Ephesians 2 says principalities are defeated and shamed by the gospel. Jesus said, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."

John repeats it in verse 14: you're strong, the word of God abides in you, and you've overcome. If John's lying, then we're not strong against sin, God's word doesn't abide in us, and we haven't overcome Satan. Overcoming means freedom from deception and temptation—not epic battles, but saying no to sin.

Satan's deep things include fornication—sexual sin outside marriage. You don't need a Satanic worship service; sexual sin goes deeper into Satan than that. True Christians are strong, with God's word abiding, having conquered Satan—no longer his slaves.

Children: You Know the Father

John says to children, "because you know the Father." We're children of God, belonging to his family. True Christians embrace this identity; pretenders don't care.

Do Not Love the World

Verses 15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John is a youth epistle because loving the world is a huge struggle, especially for youth.

It's easy to say "I don't love the world," just like saying "I love God." But examine your affections. John gives three categories of worldly love:

1. Desires of the Flesh

Do you do what feels good, giving in to sinful impulses? "Flesh" means sin nature. This includes fornication, gluttony (idolizing food as comfort), drug abuse—anything making you physically dependent on feeling good. If your body dictates your actions for pleasure, you love the world, and the Father's love isn't in you. John doesn't mince words: you're not saved.

2. Desires of the Eyes (Lusts)

Things visually appealing. Men: Lingering looks at women, calling them "hot." Women: Dressing to feel sexy outside marriage. Internet access makes indulging easy. These belong to the world; lovers of such things lack the Father's love.

3. Pride of Life

Pride of possessions, materialism—self-worth from things. You might not be rich, but certain possessions bring pride or replace God. Compare time spent on things vs. God. Nobody boasts, "I'm replacing God with TV," but reality shows in your time and affections.

These desires aren't from the Father—they're worldly, sinful. Verse 17: "The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." Everything you love in this world is passing. Pursuing these is futile—like Ecclesiastes teaches.

The only eternal value is doing God's will. Scripture reveals it plainly; your eternal life depends on it.