Be Strong

1 John 2:12-17

Not too much should be made of the different age groups addressed in verses 12-14. I mean, would John not want all ages – and both sexes for that matter (we’re still dealing with a patriarchal culture here) – to grasp that their sins are forgiven on account of Christ’s name (verse 12), because they know him who is from the beginning (verse 13), etc.? The points made come to a climax with writing to ‘young men’ about what real strength is. I think this gets at the stylistic role of the groups mentioned. Young men are thought to be strong. What better group to bounce off in order to point out that real strength is a matter of having the Word of God within, and, by this, overcoming the evil one (verse 14). The truth applies to everyone but the point is made all the more effectively as it addressed to those thought to be strong because of youth and physical vigor.

The style of addressing different groups is then dropped as the last point about strength is expanded in teaching about Christians and the world (verse 15-17). Those who have the Word of God in them, and do it (verse 17), have already overcome the world of false strength that is passing away. It is false in the sense that it is passing away, not in any sense that we can ‘spiritualize’ the real suffering that exercise of power – or brute force – can bring in this world (witness hundreds of people killed in truck bombings Wednesday in Iraq). It is false in comparison to the strength that will endure when it is matter of doing the Word. That is the hope for effectiveness in our daily lives, when the forces that seem to overwhelm threaten to get the better of our spirit.

Prayer:
God, let no false humility get in the way of you making me strong and effective in this world. Let your Word make us strong for your sake. Amen.