In his opening, John stated his general purpose for writing this letter, that we might have fellowship with God and in that his joy would be complete. Now he begins to focus in on the specific concerns that prompted the writing of this letter.

John begins by affirming that he is not writing to unbelievers in order to lead them to salvation, nor is he writing to believers with a wavering faith. He addresses them as children (infants), fathers, and young men. Some have seen this list to cover different levels of spiritual maturity but the order he lists the age-groups doesn’t seem to support that. It is likely that he is referring to all his readers as being characterised by all three age groups. They are little children because they have received forgiveness for their sins and now are children of God. They are fathers in the sense that they have an experience with the eternal one. This suggests that despite the warnings earlier in the chapter, John believes his readers have truly experienced fellowship with God (“him” could refer to either the Father or the Son, John didn’t consider the distinction important). His readers are young men in the sense that they were strong and able to resist Satan’s assaults. John repeats the three age-groups with subtle differences. The second time he uses the word children, he uses a different word, instead of infants he considers them children who are matured to a relationship with the Father. When calling them young men he points out their abiding in the word of God which gives them the strength to overcome the evil one. John’s repetition suggests that his readers solidly grounded in their faith.
If John was happy with his readers’ faith and even considered them mature, then his warnings remind us that even as mature believers we need to be reminded of the dangers that will always exist no matter how far we have grown in our Christian walk.

The world will always compete for our love. We cannot love the world or the things in the world and the Father at the same time. If we love the world, then the love of the Father is not in us. James 4:4 says something similar, “friendship with the world is enmity with God.” Why can’t we love both? Because the things of the world don’t come from the Father but from the world. The “world” describes the system of values and goals that are contrary to God’s way of doing things. This system is based on the lust of the flesh and the covetousness of the eyes and a prideful, boastful, and greedy way of life. As Christians, we should not live with those worldly appetites or perspectives. The world system is temporary and will pass away but to live for God has eternal value.

Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last

C.T. Studd

Whether you are a new believer or have walked with God as long as you can remember, we all need these warnings. Do you find yourself being lured by the world system and its desires? What do you need to change today to make sure your love is focussed on abiding with God forever?