1st John 2:12-14 SEPARATION - The Commandment of conduct To live a victorious life in Christ, fellowship is a fundamental part of the cause of living above the world and the things of the world. Fellowship with God is of primary importance and associated with that fellowship is fellowship with His people. There is a certain pattern of conduct necessary in order for that fellowship to be maintained. The character of Christian conduct is addressed in the first eleven verses where the principle for conduct is the imitation of Christ.
The commandment for our conduct is taught in verses twelve through seventeen. In reading this passage of scripture, it is obvious the principle involved is separation from the world system. Those being addressed cover all the ages of Christian experience. Like a kindly benevolent father, John introduces the subject of the commandment for conduct by calling those who read his letter "little children," or "dear children." That is how he looked upon them all from his years of experience walking in the light with his Lord. They are all dear children to him regardless of their maturity. He introduces his commands by first addressing each stage of development.
Forgiveness of sin in the life of a believer was explained in chapter one, so from that point on he was going to teach the value of appropriate conduct in daily life. Our forgiveness has been granted because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Our enjoyment of our new life in Christ depends on our willingness to face, confess and forsake specific sins as they cast their dark shadows over our joy of fellowship with our Lord.
To "know Him" does not mean that younger believers do not know Him by faith in Him. This has to do with the experiences of life that have increased one's knowledge of our Lord beyond that of acquaintanceship to sharing the burdens of life with Another who has borne the same things. Maturity in life and conduct comes as one walks with the Lord in the light of His word, and then has gone farther in spiritual growth. The young men (people) have experienced spiritual victories and need to continue to keep alert in view of the fact the enemy is always seeking ways to bring them down.
In the second exhortation in writing to these children of God, the word "children" is used in the sense or arranging in rank and experience rather than relationship. Through the new birth they know God as Father and they belong to Him. The fathers are addressed with the same words the second time because their spiritual maturity is obvious. They know Him, continue to learn from Him, meditate on the One who is "from the beginning" and seek to emulate His walk. Divine attributes like grace, mercy, longsuffering and gentle acceptance of others for who they are and where they are in their spiritual life are demonstrated by those with father-like care. There is really nothing new to say to them but to keep on keeping on. He goes further in pointing out to the young men (people) that they are strong, the word of God is real to them and they are being victorious over the wicked one.
Young men who are walking in the light are growing strong in faith because the word of God is abiding in them, guiding and controlling them so they conduct their lives under divine authority. In that way they can deal with the battles the devil wages against them as they "bear the yoke" in their youth. The enemy attacks outwardly, but if that scheme fails, he deceives, discourages and seeks to defeat them by guile.
Each stage in the development of our Christian life builds upon the one before it. The more we learn about our Lord Jesus Christ when we are young, the more able we are capable of handling temptations when they come. As we grow in the Lord and experience God at work in us, we gain victories that strengthen our faith and testimony. Then as we move forward in confidence, and trust the Lord even when we don't know what is coming next, wisdom is developed. That wisdom enables us to teach those who are new in Christ, and those who have been coming behind us. Older and younger believers in fellowship together, make a public testimony significant to those who come among us. It is a good thing for all of us to evaluate our spiritual maturity as believers and in faith move forward in our walk with the Lord. The older believers need to ask themselves if they are actually passing on our faith to those who are younger in a way they can understand. The younger need to ask themselves if they are willing to be taught by those who have walked with the Lord, or are they conducting their lives in a self-centered way.