1 John 2:11-15
 
1 John 2:11 (KJB)
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
 
Walketh - Go around or conduct oneself in
 
Here John gives a definite picture of the person who is unsaved. First of all, John states that this person is in darkness and resulting from being in darkness, they walk in darkness. This means that their entire life is engulfed in darkness. Their decisions and their outlook on life are all according to the darkness. They cannot see things clearly simply because the darkness has blinded their eyes. (2 Cor 4:4 KJV) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Cor. 4:4 states unequivocally that those who are unsaved are blinded by Satan so the light of the true Gospel will be unable to penetrate. The darkness prevents people from seeing the Lord Jesus Christ for who He really is, that is, the Savior and the source of that light which frees people from the darkness.
 
1 John 2:12 (KJB)
I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
 
Are forgiven - have been forgiven
 
John uses the term “little children” not in a condescending manner but in a manner of affection. He writes to these Christians telling them that their sins have been totally forgiven them. The words “are forgiven” is one word in the Greek and is in the perfect tense. The perfect tense is a completed action and in some cases, as in this one, the results continue on. This means that all the sins of the believer have been forgiven, from cradle to grave. (Isa 43:25 KJV) I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Every sin of the believer was forgiven for His name’s sake. This means that when forgiveness is attached to the name of the Lord, the forgiveness is total and irreversible. Since Christ was the one who paid for our sins, it is for His name sake that we are forgiven totally. John wants them to know that the sacrifice of Christ was complete and totally efficacious on their part.
 
1 John 2:13 (KJB)
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. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
 
John addresses three different groups of Christians in this verse. First, he addresses the “fathers” which were those who were more mature in the faith as they knew Christ, the one who was from everlasting. He then addresses the young men, those who may have been in the 25-40 years of age bracket that they have overcome the wicked one through the blood of Christ. This age group would be most vulnerable to satanic temptation but through the blood of Christ they were able to stave off temptation. Thirdly, he addresses the little children. These would have been either those who were truly children in age who became saved or those who may have been young in the faith. Even those who were very young in the faith know the Father because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
 
1 John 2:14 (KJB)
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
 
Overcome - Prevail, overcome, or be victorious
 
John continues his message to the believers and once again repeats his message to the fathers that they have known Christ from the beginning. He then addresses the young men again but this time adds a little more detail. John may have heard that there might have been some trouble with temptation or even persecution and he writes to the young men that since they are strong Christians by means of the word of God abiding or remaining in them, they were able to have victory over the temptations or the attacks of the evil one. This is the principle that all Christians need to abide by that the only way we can remain strong against the attacks of the evil one is to have the word of God abiding in us.
 
1 John 2:15 (KJB)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
 
Here is another principle which reveals whether a person is walking in the light (saved) or walking in darkness (unsaved). This verse is not speaking about loving the beauty that is in this world such as the mountains or the lakes but it speaking of having a love for the world system. The world system is of a sinful nature and this would mean that those who love the world system are loving sin. If a person loves sin, then they have not been delivered from the old life and are still unsaved. This verse is warning Christians that we have been delivered from the realm of darkness, which is what pervades the world, and we should not have an affinity for that system. The things that are in the world are the different aspects of that system such as gambling, drinking, drugs, and other types of sinful things associated with the world. If a person still loves to engage in these types of things, then they have not been delivered from them and are still unsaved. The warning is to the Christian that if we have been delivered from these things, then do not look back at them in desire. It is these things which caused us trouble in the past and we are to look to forward to Christ and not backward to the sin pits of the world system. The love of God in the believer propels us beyond the things of this world as we seek the things of Heaven.

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