1 John 2:7-11 (NLT2)
12 I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. 13 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. 14 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 young people in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.
John understood the stability that comes from our security in our relationship with Christ. He identified various aspects of our relationship and the strength that grows from fellowship with God. He first addressed true believers whose sins are forgiven through Jesus.
This means that when the enemy reminds them of their past, they simply remind him of his future. There is great freedom in being a forgiven child of God, freedom that emboldens us to go into battle with strong courage. Many believers are mature; that is they are independently dependent on Christ knowing Him who existed from the beginning. Those who are young in the faith are marked by strength, God’s word living in their hearts, and they have won their battle with the evil one.
Whichever group you are part of is successful in its own way. Nurture your strengths, encourage each other, keep strong in the word, and expect victory for God’s glory.