Overcome The World

1 John 2:12-17

12 I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
13 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.
14 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.

15 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. 16 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. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Notes

John reminded the readers of the old commandment, which is also the new commandment. He was writing about loving one another. John further explained that those who hate their brother are not in the light; they are still in darkness. But those who walk in the light love other disciples, and they do not stumble nor do they lead others to sin. John would then encourage the readers about knowing God, forgiveness of sins, overcoming evil, and strength. The writer would then warn against loving the world because the one who loves the world does not have the love of the Father.

1. Encouragement

   It seemed that the writer was discussing the various levels of maturity. He mentioned little “children,” “fathers,” and “young men.” An alternative perspective is that the terms “children,” “fathers,” and “young men” are not stages, but a poetic style. John used poetry to encourage the believers.

   
   1 John 2:12-14: I am writing to you, little children,
   because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
   13 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.
   14 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.

2. Do Not Love the World

   John warns against loving the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in such a person. Everything that the world represents is not from God, which includes the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life. What is the world? Anything against the will of God.
   

   1 John 2:15-16: 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. 16 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.
   

3. The Will of God

   John concludes the warning against worldliness by revealing the future. The world is passing away, which means that the world is temporal. On the opposite side, those who do the will of God will abide forever. That is why one may say that the world, in this context, refers to anything that is opposed to God's will.

   
   1 John 2:17: And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
   

   Application:

   1. Through Christ, we have overcome the world. Through His grace, we learn to become stronger in faith. Through His Word, we overcome evil thoughts. Through His Spirit, we receive His conviction, comfort, and guidance.
   2. We should not love the world, which is anything against the will of God. Let us guard our bodily needs, the evil that attracts our eyes, and our hearts from boasting about our own accomplishments
   3. Let us have an eternal perspective. One fruit of eternal life is doing the will of God. We must remind ourselves that the world and its lusts are temporary. Only God is eternal; only Christ is eternal.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Explain the encouragement of John to the believers, which is represented by children, fathers, and young men.

2. What are the things in the world? Explain. Why should we not love them?

3. What will happen to the world? What will happen to the person who does the will of God?