Sunday School Lessons

July 18 – FAITH OF ABRAHAM

Sunday School Lesson

July 18

Lesson 7 (KJV)

FAITH OF ABRAHAM

DEVOTIONAL READING: Genesis 15: 1–6

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Romans 4

ROMANS 4: 1–12

1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

KEY VERSE

Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.—Romans 4: 3b

CONFIDENT HOPE

Unit 2: Faith and Salvation

LESSONS 6–9

LESSON AIMS

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Summarize the nature of Abraham’s righteousness.

2. Distinguish between “imparted righteousness” and “imputed righteousness.”

3. Make a list of ways that imputed (credited) righteousness will direct his or her thoughts and actions in the week ahead.

HOW TO SAY IT

Abrahamic Ay-bruh-ham-ik.

Cornelius Cor-neel-yus.

Hagar Hay-gar.

Ishmael Ish-may-el.

Johannes Gutenberg Yoh-hahn-uhs Goo-tin-burg.

Moriah Mo-rye-uh.

patriarchs pay-tree-arks.

Introduction

A. The Progenitor of the Printing Press

In the mid-1400s, a German entrepreneur introduced a process that many identify as the beginning of the modern era. Johannes Gutenberg combined ideas from metallurgy, book production, agricultural methods, and other areas to produce the first European “movable-type” printing press. The crown jewel of his career was the production in 1455 of 180 deluxe copies of the Latin translation of the Bible.

This edition is now known as the Gutenberg Bible, with fewer than 50 known copies surviving. Perhaps the finest example is on display in the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Gutenberg’s printing press allowed for the mass production of books, therefore increasing the desirability of literacy and knowledge. Our digital age is far removed from Gutenberg’s press in Mainz, but the precedent he set has earned him the title of Father of Printing, and his influence is still felt today.

The internet has many “Father of the …” and “Mother of the …” lists. The apostle Paul has one of his own.

B. Lesson Context

During Paul’s ministry, a key issue concerned the role of the Jewish law for Christians who were not of Jewish descent. At the time Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, the famous Jerusalem Council had already recognized that Gentiles would be welcomed into the church without being required to keep the Law of Moses (Acts 15: 7–11, 19–21, 28–29). This included forgoing circumcision, which symbolized the entire law for Jews (see Romans 4: 9, below).

Circumcision was perhaps the most honored of all Jewish traditions. The rite began with Abraham, the forefather of the entire nation of Israel (see Romans 4: 1 and following, below). Jewish men had proudly borne the mark of circumcision for hundreds of years, a physical sign of their separation from Gentiles. The traditional adversaries of Israel were called uncircumcised, an epithet spit out in scorn (example: Jeremiah 9: 26; see Romans 4: 9, below). Any foreigner who wanted to be accepted into Israel had to be circumcised (Exodus 12: 48). To be an uncircumcised Jewish man was to be expelled from Israel and thus not part of the nation (Genesis 17: 14).

Gentiles did not welcome the idea of circumcision as a condition for worshipping God. The physical act of circumcision was culturally repugnant and physically painful. In the Roman world, this hesitation resulted in Gentiles who were attracted to Judaism to be identified as “devout” (Acts 17: 4, 17) in contrast with a “proselyte” (Matthew 23: 15), who converted fully.

The “devout” chose to honor the Lord. However, they were excluded from full participation in the temple or synagogues because the men in these families had not undergone circumcision. Peter’s encounter with Cornelius, during which time the Holy Spirit came to a group of Gentiles (Acts 10: 44–48), was the beginning of a new understanding about what would and would not be required in the church (11: 15–18).

In part, the discussion of what Jewish customs to retain in the church—and require of Gentiles—was a discussion about the relationship between faith and works. Though these two concepts can be held in tension, most Christians understand that works flow out of faith (James 2: 14–26). We are “saved through faith, … not of works” (Ephesians 2: 8–9). The work that we do for Christ is faith manifesting itself in our lives (2: 10); it is not an attempt to save ourselves. Paul’s discussion of Abraham considered in our lesson text today is an example of this fact.

Paul ended Romans 3 with a crescendo that emphasized that people can be pronounced righteous only through faith (Romans 3: 30). But this raises an important question: What about the ancient and hallowed Jewish law, the law that Moses received from God himself?

I. Ancestor of Israel

(ROMANS 4: 1–3)

A. Not Justified by Works (vv. 1–2)

1. What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

Abraham lived more than 2,000 years before Paul wrote the book of Romans. Abraham’s history was preserved by the people of God in oral traditions for several hundred years before it was written down in the book of Genesis.

That man had an incredible relationship with God. He trusted God even when called to journey to a place he had never seen, on the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea (Genesis 12: 1–9; see Romans 4: 12, below). Later, Abraham trusted God to provide him with a legitimate heir, his son Isaac, when both he and his wife, Sarah, were advanced in age (Genesis 17: 15–22; 18: 10–15; 21: 1–7). Abraham even trusted God when commanded to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah (22: 1–18).

For these and other acts, Abraham is considered to be the father of faith (Matthew 3: 9; Luke 1: 73; etc.). He was one of the first people to model a faithful relationship with God.

Paul focused these facts on his Jewish-Christian readers, identifying Abraham as their father as pertaining to the flesh. Paul spoke to those who traced their ancestry to the great patriarch of Genesis. Today we would say Paul spoke to those who would find a DNA match with Abraham. Paul’s strategy took his line of argumentation to a time even before Israel was a nation.

2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

Paul set up this verse to establish the source of Abraham’s justification. To be justified is to be counted or considered righteous. Did Abraham earn justification through his acts of obedience, his works? No amount of righteous deeds will position a person correctly before God, for all men and women have sinned (Romans 3: 23).

Paul’s original readers knew that Abraham did not always act in a righteous, faithful way. His deceptions concerning the status of Sarah as his sister rather than his wife nearly caused her to be involved in adultery (Genesis 12: 10–20; 20: 1–18). And though his actions toward Hagar were sadly typical for his day, the way he treated his concubine and son after the birth of Isaac left much to be desired (21: 8–21). If Abraham had been justified by his good works, then he would have had reason to glory in himself. But that was not the case.

What Do You Think?

What personal guardrails can you erect to ensure that you keep pride in its proper place and properly expressed?

Digging Deeper

How would you rank-order these passages in terms of relevance to that question: Proverbs 16: 18; 2 Corinthians 10: 7–18; Ephesians 2: 8–9; James 4: 16; 1 John 2: 16? Why?

B. Justified by Faith (v. 3)

3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Paul’s statement is a near quote of Genesis 15: 6. In that context, Abraham had been lamenting that he had no male heir to carry forward his name and legacy. In a visionary experience, the Lord compelled Abraham to go outside on a clear night to view the uncountable number of stars in the sky. God promised Abraham that the number of his descendants would be like this ocean of stars (Genesis 15: 5). So, Abraham had a choice to make: (1) he could trust that God would keep His promise and grant him an heir or (2) he could reject this as impossible.

The evidence in Abraham’s life and marriage compelled him to try to help God’s plan along. Abraham and Sarah had long since passed the season of producing children (Genesis 17: 17). Abraham had resigned himself to the fact that his chief servant would be his heir (15: 2) before Abraham took it upon himself to avoid that possibility by having a son with Hagar (16: 1–4, 15).

Even so, Abraham’s faith did not collapse on the basis of his long wait or the seeming impossibility of the fulfillment of God’s promises. Rather than despair or reject the Lord, Abraham believed God. He chose to believe that God was capable of keeping His promise and would be faithful to do so. He trusted that God had a plan for him.

So Abraham lived accordingly and expectantly. This stupendous act of faith gave him the status of a righteous person before a holy and utterly righteous God. The word translated counted was used in the financial world of Paul’s day to describe the act of moving credits into an accounting ledger. An account with a negative balance (an unrighteous or unknown status) now showed a positive balance (righteousness).

Putting this analogy into our own context, Abraham’s account moved from red ink to black ink. The result for generations to come was that Abraham stood as the father of Israel first, but also of all believers who trust God.

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME

When my best friend felt called to found a Christian school, the task seemed impossible. She had no marketing or administrative training, and she certainly didn’t have any money. She was new to town and didn’t know anyone. “God will provide,” she answered when I asked how she was going to find land. She said the same thing when she had no building on the land, and again when she had no students to fill the building.

Things didn’t always go right. But she never doubted it would all come together. She believed, even though it seemed an impossibility. And God provided every person who had the exact skill, material, or financing to create what is now a flourishing, classical Christian school.

Abraham and Sarah were old. Descendants as numerous as the stars? Impossible! Yet Abraham believed. Sometimes he delayed in his obedience or tried his own way. But he never forgot God’s word. In life’s twists and turns, is your faith still grounded in God’s faithfulness?—P. M.

II. Receiving Righteousness

(ROMANS 4: 4–8)

A. Not an Earned Reward (vv. 4–5)

4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Workers are not paid because of grace but because they have earned their wages. The debt incurred by their employer is thereby discharged.

To be justified by God can never be the result of our works, for we have too many debits in the form of sins. If we really earned what we deserve based on our works, we would all remain dead in sins (Ephesians 2: 1–3; Colossians 2: 13–14) since “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6: 23). The person who thinks a winning strategy before the throne of final judgment will be to present a list of righteous deeds will be sorely disappointed. No one can be declared righteous through works of the law (Romans 3: 20).

5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

The phrase him that worketh not likely refers to the person who does not depend on personal works to be in a right standing before God. No sinner, whether Gentile or Jew, can ever earn righteousness. Were someone able to do so, he or she would not need to be counted as righteous by faith because such a person would actually be righteous.

B. An Unearned Blessing (vv. 6–8) 6.

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.

The line of reasoning moves from one revered Jewish figure (Abraham) to another (David), a historical shift of about 1,000 years. Perhaps even more than Abraham’s sins, David’s sins are remembered to this day. He committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11). The fallout from those sins dogged David’s personal life (example: 12: 14–18).

But David eventually came to know the blessing of forgiven sin (2 Samuel 12: 13), the essence of justification. David understood the grace of God as powerful to overcome the guilt of sins. That king’s repentance and faithfulness, even when suffering the consequences of his sins, are a great part of why David is called “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Samuel 13: 14; Acts 13: 22).

What Do You Think?

How would you explain to someone the distinction between being credited (or counted) as righteous vs. actually being made righteous?

Digging Deeper

In what circumstances might you explain the difference by using the words imputed and imparted instead? Why?

7–8. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

David wrote of his experience of being forgiven by God, and the quote in the verses before us is that of David’s marvelous Psalm 32: 1–2. This is a great passage on confession of sin, repentance, and received forgiveness. In it, David exhorted others to realize that happiness is found in God’s forgiveness. Only confession can release the disease that wastes the bones of the guilty (32: 3–4) and open a person to God’s forgiveness (32: 5, 11). John wrote about this as well: “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1: 9; compare Psalm 51).

III. Father of the Faithful

(ROMANS 4: 9–12)

A. Not Limited by Circumcision (vv. 9–10)

9. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Circumcision was the physical mark given by God to Abraham and his male descendants as a sign of the covenant (Genesis 17: 11–13). It was given later in Abraham’s life by God’s command. Abraham and every male in his household were circumcised in obedience to God’s requirement (17: 10, 23). Abraham chose to obey this command just as he had already obeyed God many times before. The mark itself, though, did not make Abraham or the men in his house more righteous. Abraham was already reckoned as righteous because of his faith in God.

10. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision?

Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. The Jewish people assumed that their blessings were owed at least partly to obedience in circumcision. But Paul argues convincingly otherwise: Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him as righteousness before that sign was implemented, which sign was not commanded until Genesis 17: 10. Thus the sign of circumcision was of less importance than the faith behind it.

This fact was important in affirming that circumcision was not necessary for the faith of Gentiles to be valid in following Christ (see Lesson Context). “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter” (Romans 2: 29; compare Deuteronomy 10: 16; 30: 6; Jeremiah 4: 4).

Outward obedience to God’s rules and regulations does not make a person righteous. Only one’s faith and God’s grace can result in being reckoned as righteous. Following His commands is a sign of our faith; without that faith, the signs are meaningless.

B. Given to Followers (vv. 11–12)

11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.

Paul did not disregard circumcision as having no value at all, though. This sign and seal of the righteousness of faith became a key element in the covenant relationship God developed with Abraham’s Jewish descendants.

Muslims, who claim lineage to Abraham via Ishmael, still practice circumcision as a religious requirement. They consider it a sign of inclusion in the Muslim community. But in contrast to the Abrahamic faiths of Islam and Judaism, circumcision was and is not imposed as a sign of inclusion in the Christian faith. God’s will in this regard was discerned during the first decades of the church’s existence (see Galatians 2: 1–3 and the Lesson Context).

Because Abraham was counted as righteous before circumcision, Paul argued that that patriarch could therefore be the father of any righteous person, regardless of circumcision. Righteousness is imputed (not imparted) to those who believe. And if this seems repetitious, it’s only because Paul himself was repetitious. This is a big deal! And it is worth repeating over and over. Faith is what God wants, not outward signs.

What Do You Think?

When Paul’s statement about Abraham’s spiritual fatherhood-of-all has its desired impact, what changes should others see in your life?

Digging Deeper

What can you do to accelerate the rate of those changes?

As an aside, we note that some think that Christian baptism is the New Testament parallel to Old Testament circumcision. This viewpoint is based on, among other things, a certain interpretation of Colossians 2: 11–12. But the illustration there is to compare baptism with “the circumcision made without hands” (see also Philippians 3: 3; compare Ezekiel 44: 7). We note that baptism is never referred to as “a sign” or “a seal” in the New Testament (compare 1 Corinthians 1: 22; 9: 2; 14: 22). Baptism, therefore, does not get its meaning from Old Testament circumcision.

12. And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Following Jesus, being a Christian, has nothing to do with physical circumcision. Rather, it is about faith and the life that proceeds from a faithful heart. Forgiveness is not earned or owed. It is given by the grace of God to those following the New Testament plan of salvation. Paul describes this as walking in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, who blazed faith-trail centuries before.

What Do You Think?

What’s the single most important thing you can do this week to walk in Abraham’s footsteps?

Digging Deeper

What sense of urgency will you have in doing so, given that Abraham is mentioned more than 70 times in the New Testament?

Paul later presents the law as the means of learning what sin is, and he notes the impossibility of keeping the Old Testament law (see Romans 7). The law does not produce righteousness, but it does yield knowledge of wrongdoing (Galatians 3: 21–22). Abraham’s work proceeded from his faith, not from keeping the Law of Moses, which was not given until centuries later.

When it came time for Abraham’s greatest test of all—the potential sacrifice of Isaac—he chose obedience that was grounded in faith (Genesis 22: 1–14). Abraham believed that even if he sacrificed Isaac, his faithful Lord would keep His promise and raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11: 17–19). Our hope lies not in righteous deeds but in faith leading to justification by God.

A FREE REWARD

My son’s first job was a paper route. During the week, he would bag each paper and set out to finish delivering before sundown. Though it was hot summer work, all his labors seemed worthwhile when he got his first paycheck. Some weeks later, we visited a coffee drive-through so he could get the two of us beverages. When we reached the window, the barista informed us that the car ahead of us had picked up our tab. This confused our son until we explained what had happened.

There are certain parallels between both cases and today’s text. When we work, our time is calculated toward our earned wages. To think salvation comes about the same way is to commit a serious error.

It is the second incident that better illustrates how we have access to salvation: somebody else paid the price, and there was no debt to be paid on our part when we reached the pick-up window. And the grace we receive from God in this regard is so much more refreshing than a beverage!—P. M.

Conclusion

A. Faith and Work

How far do you allow your faith to take you? Do your actions show that your trust in God can overcome doubts and allow you to be obedient to Him? Our faith leads us to entrust our children to God, no matter the circumstances. It guides us to worship God, not money, and to act according to that sole allegiance. Faith requires us to live everyday in trust of God and His plan. So, again, how far do you allow your faith to take you?

What Do You Think?

Which concept in today’s lesson do you see as most important for undergirding how you should change a thought, speech, or action? Why?

Digging Deeper

What specific, time-bound steps can you take to bring about that change?

B. Prayer

Father, may we live daily as people whose faith results in unconditional trust in You! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

The Lord remains as the Father of the faithful.

KID’S CORNER

Overcoming the Evil One

Sunday, July 18, 2021

1 John 2:7-14

1 John 2:7-14

(1 John 2:7)  Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.

The writers of the New Testament showed that Jesus’ teachings and their teachings were consistent with and often in fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. Writing of the Scriptures (the Old Testament and the growing New Testament), the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus taught His followers to obey the Old Commandment:  “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” The “word” is the message of Jesus and the apostles that John’s readers had been taught. Jesus and His apostles always taught as of first importance that God commands everyone to love God and love others.

(1 John 2:8) On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.

The followers of Jesus Christ have an additional commandment to obey that Jesus and the Holy Spirit within them enable them to obey. In John 13:34-35, Jesus gave believers in Him a new commandment that John had also given the first readers of his letter: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus perfectly loved and obeyed His Father in heaven. Jesus repeatedly displayed His love and obedience to God, which He made an example for all who will follow Him. Jesus loved His disciples and all who would believe in Him, and He loved them to the end when He died on the cross for them. Jesus’ new commandment is true in Him because He lived and still lives according to His commandment to love God and others. Jesus still loves all His followers, and He still gives His life to them in a variety of ways as described in the New Testament; for example, Jesus still intercedes in prayer for those who believe in Him. His new commandment is true in all who follow Him because He has anointed with the Holy Spirit all those who believe in Him, and Jesus himself abides with and within them. The darkness is passing away and the True Light is shining as the love and truth of Jesus shines forth through Jesus’ faithful followers. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” If a believer in Jesus lives in the light, the light can be seen. Furthermore, remember Jesus said, “Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” The True Light shines in the Church when the followers of Jesus Christ love one another, and the True Light shines into the world through the Church. The darkness passes away whenever someone turns from the darkness to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior so Jesus can indwell them and shine His light within and through them. As the Church grows spiritually and shines more brightly, the darkness passes away and the True Light draws people to her.

(1 John 2:9) The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.

In the Church, there may be some who say, “I know and follow the truth.” They may say they follow the theology of Jesus, or Paul, or Peter, or John, or some renowned thinker in the Church past or present, but if they hate someone in the Church past or present, they still walk in darkness. The love of Jesus within a believer shows the measure of true discipleship, not someone’s claim that they know the truth and live in a truth that is devoid of love for God, others, and other believers. A “believer” may hate someone who is long dead, and if they hate them, they are still living in darkness.

(1 John 2:10) The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

The true followers of Jesus Christ live in Jesus and Jesus lives in them. They live in the Light and they walk in the Light. They know the Truth and they walk in the Truth. However, no believer in Jesus walks perfectly in this life, but their disobedience to the Father and the Son is a rare exception to the way they live habitually. They study the Scriptures to love and trust more in Jesus and follow Jesus more perfectly as the Holy Spirit helps them. Their beliefs and way of life in the Light leads them to love others in the Church and not hate anyone. They practice forgiveness as Jesus has forgiven them. There is no cause of stumbling in a way of life that follows Jesus’ teachings and example. Unhappily, turning from following Jesus Christ even for a moment can become a cause for stumbling.

(1 John 2:11) But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

John warns those in the Church about the consequences of hatred so they will avoid hating anyone in the Church. Unhappily, some will hate a true believer with whom they disagree, even someone with a different theological view than their view in areas where true believers in Jesus have been known to disagree on minor or nonbiblical topics. If someone hates a fellow Christian (and John strongly warns us to repent of this hate if we find ourselves in this situation or leaning toward hatred), then that person lives in darkness no matter what they may say about themselves knowing the truth. John says they remain in darkness, and they walk in darkness, even though they may claim to know the truth of Jesus and maintain “the right theology.” They may claim to be leaders and teachers in the Church, and recognized as such by others, but if they hate another believer, then they do not know the way to go, and John warns believers against following them or believing as they do. John wrote that they hate a fellow believer because the darkness in which they walk has brought on spiritual blindness. They will walk into ever greater darkness. They have become like the Pharisees that Jesus described in Matthew 15:14, saying, “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” John warns believers against following someone who hates a fellow believer, for if they do, they will “fall into a pit.”

(1 John 2:12) I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.

John wrote his letter to everyone in the Church, to those of all ages and all time. He wrote to “little children,” to those who were new believers in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. John gave them the assurance that their sins were forgiven “on account of His name,” on account of Jesus’ sacrificial death in their behalf for the forgiveness of their sins and on account of His resurrection from the dead that gave them the assurance of eternal life. John intended to warn them of what could happen if they began to hate someone in the Church or if someone taught them to hate someone. He began to warn them of what they could expect in the future from those who had turned from faith in Jesus and the Church to walk in darkness.

(1 John 2:13) I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

John wrote to “fathers,” to those who had reached spiritual maturity in the Church. They had come to know the Father and the Son, and from knowing Jesus they walked in the Light and they loved others in the Church as Jesus loves all His followers. They too needed to be warned lest for some reason they be tempted to hate a fellow believer in the Church. Because they knew God through faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit enabled them to teach new believers and those who were maturing in their walk with Jesus. The “young people” were those who were maturing as followers of Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus Christ, they had conquered the evil one because the evil one had formerly enslaved them and made them slaves of sin. By experience, they could understand the teaching of Jesus in John 8:34-36, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” The “young people” had a permanent place in the Family of God and they loved and served Jesus because Jesus had freed them from slavery to the evil one.

(1 John 2:14) I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

1 John 2:12-14 reads almost like a poem or hymn. All believers in Jesus Christ are “children” of the Father and they know the Father through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 4:6, Paul explained, “And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” As we have said, “fathers,” mature believers, know the Father and the Son, they know the Scriptures, and they can teach others the message of Jesus and the apostles. The “young people” (those growing in spiritual maturity as faithful followers of Jesus Christ) have conquered the evil one by trusting in Jesus. They walk in the True Light. They remain strong in their faith in Jesus Christ and continue to “overcome the evil one.” They remain strong because the Holy Spirit and the Word of God written abide in them; therefore, they can overcome the evil one, whether the devil or someone being led by the devil (such as the Pharisees who misled those to whom Jesus preached and taught). John wanted all those who follow Jesus to know and remember where they stood in relation to the love and teaching of Jesus and others in the Church, for some might need to repent of the sin of hating a fellow believer. As followers of Jesus Christ, true believers love new Christians, and they help them grow in their faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. True believers in Jesus Christ love and help maturing Christians remain strong in their faith and trust in the Word of God. They help them overcome temptations, the evil one, and show them how to avoid the snare of the devil. They support and encourage the mature Christians who faithfully teach them and help them walk in love according to the message of Jesus and the Scriptures in the Church and in the world.

Overcoming the Evil One

Sunday, July 18, 2021

1 John 2:7-14

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 (1 John 2:14—KJV).

I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:14—NASB).

I write to you, 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 people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:14—NRSV).

John addressed his readers as “beloved;” those he loved as Jesus Christ loved them and him. He wrote to those of all ages and levels of spiritual maturity who followed Jesus, and he commended each believer for their spiritual growth. For example, a new believer may not know much more than the fact that their heavenly Father loves them and has granted them the assurance that their sins have been forgiven and they have received the gift of eternal life. Spiritual children grow into spiritual young people, and John placed his emphasis on them. Knowing that their heavenly Father will protect them, the new follower of Jesus Christ can look forward to becoming spiritually strong through the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells them. The new follower of Jesus Christ can look forward to learning more about Jesus Christ, the Word of God, as they obey the commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ that the apostles preached and published for people to study. No evil one can take a believer’s relationship with the Father and the Son from them, and as they follow Jesus and His teachings, they will overcome the evil one. The evil one can be anyone who tempts a believer to sin, but particularly the devil who knows about our human weaknesses, who will exploit them, and who will try to lead people astray; however, by trusting in Jesus, anyone can spiritually overcome the evil one.

Thinking Further

Overcoming the Evil One

Sunday, July 18, 2021

1 John 2:7-14

Name ______________________________

1. What do you think the commandments were that John referred to?

2. If a believer in Jesus says, “I am in the light,” what do you think he means?

3. What can keep a believer in Jesus from stumbling?

4. What can cause stumbling?

5. What did John say about young people who were believers in Jesus?

Discussion and Thinking Further

1. What do you think the commandments were that John

referred to?

OLD: Matthew 22:37-40 — “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

NEW: John 13:34-35 — “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

2. If a believer in Jesus says, “I am in the light,” what do you

think he means?

We read in John 8:12, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” Whoever says “I am in the light” has the light of life (Jesus) and is walking in the light (the truth and the truth that is Jesus). In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” If a believer in Jesus is in the light, it can be seen.

3. What can keep a believer in Jesus from stumbling?

Loving your fellow believers and living in the light can keep a believer in Jesus from stumbling.

4. What can cause stumbling?

Hating a fellow believer and walking in darkness, which has brought on spiritual blindness.

5. What did John say about young people who were believers in

Jesus?

Young people (those growing in spiritual maturity as faithful followers of Jesus) have conquered the evil one, are strong, the word of God abides in them, and they have overcome the evil one.

Word Search Puzzle

Overcoming the Evil One

Sunday, July 18, 2021

1 John 2:7-14

Name _____________________________

1 John 2:7-14 Word Search

L N S M B G H A T I N G D K G

P H D G S I B Z Q L Y J L T N

K G P M A U W I O M G U O C I

M F S J P D S V P T D Z W O L

C V D Z I K E E Y F L N E M B

O G A K D S U W J U R D X M M

N N R B R E V E I L E B Q A U

Q I K E V B Y L V W R K C N T

U T N L J O V E R C O M E D S

E I E O T F O R G I V E N M Y

R R S V H J S K B T F B G E J

E W S E G Z H Z J R N E W N A

D R T D I B I X F U T Q Z T U

G E W P L P C T J E X P F E K

P K D A E D V E O Y B Y G P G

Beloved

Writing

Old

New

True

Light

Hating

Darkness

Believer

Commandment

Stumbling

Loves

Forgiven

Conquered

Overcome

True and False Test

Overcoming the Evil One

Sunday, July 18, 2021

1 John 2:7-14

Name _______________________________

Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.

1. John insisted on teaching only new commandments. True or False

2. One of John’s new commandments is true in Jesus Christ and in the one who is a believer in Jesus Christ. True or False

3. Even as John was writing, the darkness was passing away, True or False

4. The true light shines through Jesus’ followers. True or False

5. As long as you stay in the light, you can hate your brother. True or False

6. The light of Jesus Christ will not cause you to stumble. True or False

7. Those who hate walk in darkness and the darkness has brought on

blindness. True or False

8. John wrote that Little children cannot have their sins forgiven until they become young people. True or False

9. John wrote to the young people that they will need to work hard if they even hope to conquer the evil one. True or False

10. John wrote to the children that they knew the Father. True or False

True and False Test Answers

1. False
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. False
9. False
10. True

Prayer

Father, may we live daily as people whose faith results in unconditional trust in You! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.