From Ian

1 John 2 v.12 – 14

A faith poem for spiritual growth – from childhood to the complexities of youth and on to adulthood – progressing from those first steps of faith, through the conflicts of trials and testing, and on to the peace and assurance of maturity in Christ.

I write to you because –

your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

you are strong,

the word of God lives in you

you have overcome the evil one.

you have known him, who is from the beginning.

you have known the Father

In the reading, two phrases are repeated to stress their importance in the testimony of a life committed to God –

you have overcome the evil one.

you have known him, who is from the beginning.

To the child – the new Christian – the wonder of grace and salvation

your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

you have known the Father

To the Christian taking the steps of obedience – the battles of faith in life

you are strong,

the word of God lives in you

you have overcome the evil one.

To the mature Christian who has lived the life of faith –

you have known him, who is from the beginning.

When praying for his followers (Jn 17) Jesus prayed:

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you,

the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

If you were writing your end of this life testimony, could you put your name in front of the following statement?

———-   has known him, who is from the beginning, the Father. 

V.25 – And this is what he promised us – even eternal life.

Prayer: – – We thank you Father that indeed –  our – sins have been forgiven – and that not of our own effort but – on account of his name. We thank you that through all the challenges of life we can grow in ever deeper knowledge of you and look forward to eternal life.


Category: The Bridge , Thought for the week