"I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known the [One Who is] from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil [one]."
-Reason #2: Fathers, you know, you have come to know, and you still know, the One Who is from the beginning. And is it not true that one of the things for which Dad is known, is what and who he knows? ad (usually) "knows a guy". And if you want an answer, ask your dad. A treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom, your dad. Now he may tell you to go ask your mom, who by the way also knows a lot. Which begs us to point out that the text here most likely has some cultural bias to it, as education in the ancient world was generally for men only. Women didn’t typically go to school. It was the men - particularly the older men, the wiser older dads, who would be hanging out in the town square, playing games of strategy and sharing stories and recounting history and accumulating knowledge. And Dad usually knew a guy... And don't they say, it's who you know...?
-In this case, the "guy" happens to be quite a guy, quintessentially so. The Guy of guys, this One. The God of gods, the King of kings. The One Who is and was, Who was in the beginning, and has been ever since. He was BEFORE the beginning, in fact, and He is the God Who is to come. John likes to talk about beginnings - this is the beginning of creation he’s referring to here. This Guy Dad knows - He’s the One Who made it all. Everything. That’s right - all things were made by Him and for Him. This is Who Dad knows. This is Who we all know, all believers. We all know this Guy. This is the God with Whom we have to do. It is both connection AND accountability. We know a Guy with serious means, with resources (unlimited), and power (limitless), for Whom nothing is too difficult or impossible. We are seriously connected. But this Guy, He has very high standards, and He happens to be watching everything we do. He knows our every thought even. He is highly vested in who we are and what we do, ultimately so, in fact, as He has made the ultimate investment in us. He cares tremendously about the outcome, because ultimately it reflects back on Him. We bear His image, and we’re accountable to Him for how we do that. And, again, we’re connected to Him. So, this whole forgiveness thing - we can do this, we can fix this, we can get it done, just like Dad, cuz we know a Guy. We know a Guy Who can (and will!) help us, and Who seriously wants to help us. He is in fact the One Who can get it done. And rest assured, He wants it done.
-Reason #3: Young men, you have overcome the evil one. Young men, known not as much for what/who they know, but for what they can DO. Feats of strength, daring exploits. This is the domain of young men. And in truth, is there any greater feat or exploit than that which our first dad was unable to do (nor could his first-born son)? Overcoming the evil one? Defeating the enemy, the crafty serpent of old? This enemy who would steal and kill and destroy all the glorious work of God, most notably the pinnacle of God’s creation - man himself, God's image-bearer elect. The evil one would gladly destroy all men, all vestiges of celestial glory, and is surely hell-bent on doing so. Deceiving and blinding and holding men captive to sin and death and all forms of brokenness. Broken relationships first and foremost - preserving a state of separation between man and God and between man and his neighbor. In place of love for God and neighbor (the "great commands" of Scripture, surely the highest calling and deepest desire of God’s heart), there is brokenness and strife... and unforgiveness. This is the fundamental problem of humanity. We need forgiveness with the God Who made us, and we need to walk in forgiveness with our fellow (wo)man. The enemy of our souls, this one would expend all resources at his disposal to prevent such a thing. Well, guess what. He has been defeated. He lost - at the Cross. His hold and his power over us was (and is!!!) completely negated by the blood of Jesus. Young men, guess what? Your boldest move, your most daring exploit was coming to Jesus. Your greatest feat of strength was surrender, admitting your impotence, your powerlessness and inability to overcome anything apart from Jesus (John 15.5). Truly, apart from Him there is nothing, not one thing we can do, certainly not of a significant spiritual nature. No possibility of overcoming the power of sin and death and the evil one, no chance of ever becoming the forgiving forgiven. But young men - all who are in Jesus - we have overcome the evil one! Nothing is impossible for those who have put their trust in Him. This whole forgiveness thing - it is not too difficult for Him. You and I - we know Him, almighty God, and we have overcome the one who would oppose Him (to his own destruction). Thru Jesus!
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