1 John 2:12
[12] I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. (ESV)
Family is a powerful word. To some of us the word family is a word that brings thoughts of comfort, support, encouragement and joy. To others the word family is almost a foreign word. It is something that we may long for but have never experienced in a positive way. The wonderful truth is that no matter what your earthly family experience you can belong to God's family. The benefits are amazing.
John writes that he is writing to those whom he calls little children. They are clearly children of God, because their sins are forgiven. The Greek word that John uses in this verse refers to children of any age, even though he uses the term "little children." The term little children is a more affectionate term. Those who are in God's family experience his wonderful love. It is an intimate relationship that we have with God the Father because of the work of Christ forgiving our sin.
The sad reality that is not mentioned in this verse is that there is another family. Those who do not belong to God's family belong to a very dysfunctional family. In the Gospel of John Jesus was talking with Pharisees who had rejected his words and wanted to murder Jesus because they did not believe in him. Listen to who Jesus says is their father:
John 8:44
[44] You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (ESV)
This is a harsh reality. We either have God or Satan as our father. Who is your father? If you belong to the enemy I invite you to come to God. Accept the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf. He will adopt you as his son and he will never kick you out of his loving eternal family.
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