I Write to You

            I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 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 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
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I Write to You
John addresses us according to our vocation. He is calling us to be children of God and to a life of forgiveness and sanctification. Your sins are forgiven. It was Jesus who forgave them. It is Jesus who pleads for you at the throne of God. This Jesus inserts himself into the household. His victory over the evil one is your victory over the evil one. You know the heavenly Father. You have a heavenly Father because Jesus died and washed you in his blood. Your baptism makes the things of Jesus your things. Your baptism makes Jesus’ Father your Father. In Jesus' death, you are dead to sin and alive to God. You are strong and you have overcome every adversary. All of this because the Word of God dwells in you. God did this to you and for you. You have been grafted into the story of Jesus. The one who created all things is your Lord. The one who created you has redeemed you and sent his Holy Spirit to sanctify and cleanse you by daily contrition and repentance. Your life is now centered on the Christ who is your brother and his Word that makes you forgiven and holy.