On Ash Wednesday, I started a study of 1 Peter, using the ESV online study Bible and taking one paragraph each day of Lent. On this penultimate day of Lent, I find myself at 1 John 2:12-14.

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.

Following are my online notes.

04-10-09 :12-14

These three verses in poetic form are meant, according to the text notes, as words of encouragement and assurance to both new and mature believers. Perhaps nothing more is intended, and I should not try to read more than that into it.

I think maybe this assurance can be summarized in the last part of verse 14: “I write to you …because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

Like many Christians, I sometimes doubt the strength of my faith. But since my life is hid with Christ in God, John is surely right that,

* God has strengthened me,
* God’s word abides in me, and
* I need not fear the evil one.

And that gives me something to chew on during this Lenten season.

The Saturday before Easter leaves me in mid-chapter of 1 John. Future posts to Daves Bible Diary will resume where I left off before Lent, in Hebrews.

Dave, not yet sure how to best use an online study Bible.

-sdg-