As mentioned in our previous devotional, in 1 John 2:12-14 John introduces us to a third factor which follows relationship and fellowship, and it is maturity. There are two threes in 1 John 2 ...
12 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
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. 14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. 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 lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
In v.12-14 we see little Children, Fathers & Young Men. 1 John 2:16 reads, “for everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
In v.16 we have the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The Apostle John is giving us here in v.12-14 three characteristics that enable us to realize and maintain a mature walk with God. Having considered the first, Gratitude, today, we consider the second, faith.
Many Christians today see our faith as a value system. But no Value System can express the essence of Christianity. It is not God’s purpose that our lives be built on a value system. He desires that our
lives be built on His Son. An intimate relationship with Him produces an authentic Godly lifestyle. To focus on behavior will not produce a Godly lifestyle.
GOD created the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to give man a choice. The choice to live dependently of independently of God. Satan convinced them to go their own way and from that day forward mankind has judged himself by a value system of right and wrong.
You see, they didn’t know morality (right from wrong) until they began to live independently of God.
God’s desire was for man to chose to make Him the center and authority of our lives. Today, God is the same. In Romans 8:8 we learn that those who are in the flesh can not please God. God is not impressed with human goodness. Because it is nothing more than self-righteousness. The problem is that the fruit is from the wrong tree. Faith in the God of the Bible will always be at the core of our victory.
Before the Fall, man was conscientious of his dependence upon God. After the Fall, his focus was placed squarely upon his behavior. Our focus must remain on our Savior. And when that focus is correct, we are in position to experience a different kind of faith; the kind of faith that wages war against the enemy and pursues a heart driven fellowship with the Savior. It si the kind of faith that gives eyes to our hearts for Him.
