I AM WRITING TO YOU
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.
1 John 2:12-14 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
These three verses are interesting to look at. I read them several times to see why John chose to repeat himself. He speaks to three groups — “children,” “mature in the faith,” and “young in the faith.” I tend to agree with the group of scholars who believe these were terms used to address their different identities in their walk with God and not to be age categories. In this view the believers who came to God as “children” and experienced the forgiveness of sins which allowed them to know Father God. As mature believers they know what it is like to be loved by Father God. Because their sins are forgiven, and they know Father God, they were like young men who were strong and had defeated satanic assaults. I find it worth noting that the believers had overcome the evil one because “God’s word lives in your hearts.” We should recognize we are in a daily battle with the evil one. He wants to steal, kill, and destroy our lives. We must be in the Word of God every day if we want to be victorious. We cannot win the battle with our human intellect, personality, will power, or charisma. This battle is only won through our faith that is built and established on the Word of God. When we know God’s Word, we are victorious. The Word of God is our only physical weapon in the armor God gives to us (Ephesians 6). The Word is the sword of the Spirit. When we study the Word, we are developing our skills as swordsmen. After over 40 years of pastoral ministry I am still taking time daily to get into the Word. I need to renew my mind daily through the Word of God. I need to allow God’s Word to inspect my heart and mind.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit, I need You to teach me the Word of God. I want to be victorious in my spiritual journey. I must have Your Word in the front of my mind.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”