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Little Children Young Men and Fathers is a powerful teaching from 1 John 2:12-14 that reveals different stages of spiritual growth in Christ. The Apostle John explains how believers mature from spiritual childhood into lives of victory, righteousness and deeper fellowship with God.
“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one…”
— 1 John 2:12-13
Notice that in the scripture we just read, the Apostle John only associated sin with “little children,” referring to spiritual toddlers. Yet many speak as though sin is inevitable for everyone, saying, “Everybody sins.” However, the Bible clearly says:
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin…”
— 1 John 3:9
The message of Little Children Young Men and Fathers teaches believers the importance of growing spiritually through God’s Word. God defines sin from His perspective, not man’s perspective. If you look at sin through human understanding alone, you may never rise to your full potential in Christ.
The world around us is filled with sin and condemnation because man became a sinner by nature through disobedience.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
— Romans 5:12
Jesus Christ came to solve the sin problem once and for all through His sacrifice on our behalf. As the second Adam, He became sin for us—not a sinner—and paid the full penalty for sin, removing its effects from our lives.
Today, being born again, sin has no dominion over you (Romans 6:14).
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:21
When the Bible says:
“Whoever has been born of God does not sin…”
— 1 John 3:9 NKJV
…it is because the believer now possesses the life and nature of God. That divine nature does not produce sin. This is the reality of the new creation in Christ.
What if a Christian sins? John explained that spiritual children already have forgiveness through Christ. Beyond that, God also provided continual cleansing through fellowship with Him.
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
— 1 John 1:7 NKJV
Knowing and walking in the light of God’s Word is the key to spiritual maturity. This is the life of the fathers: walking in the light of righteousness, understanding your identity in Christ and living above sin, Satan and the elements of this world.
The teaching on Little Children Young Men and Fathers reminds every believer that God desires spiritual growth, maturity and victory through His Word. Praise God!
I have the life and nature of God in me; I live the higher life in Christ. I walk in strength, victory and righteousness. I walk in the light of my identity and heritage in Christ, above sin, Satan and the elements of this world. Glory to God!
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