When was the last time you received encouragement? Was it from your family, spouse, friends, coworkers, or even your church? Do you hear encouragement in your life from people speaking into you and who you are, or do you share encouragement with others?
Encouragement is a simple tool, but one not many people can receive or give freely. To be a great encourager is rare. Therefore, when I read the author’s encouragement in Chapter 2, I stopped and reread it multiple times. In 1 John 2, the author encourages God’s children, little children, young people, and older people alike. It is not a broad statement of encouragement; it is quite specific. Let me share some of this encouragement with you.
Verse 13 says I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on the account of his name,” and in verse 14, the author writes, “I am writing to you, young people, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you.” And in both verses 13 and 14, the author writes to the fathers, “I write to you, fathers because you know him who is from the beginning.”
All these statements of encouragement are for you. At one moment, you may be a child, a young person, or a mature and grown person in your faith. 1 John encourages us to stay on the path of seeking Christ and seeking the light in our lives. Even when it gets hard, remember this encouragement.
Questions for reflection:
- Do you have a great encourager in your life? How do they encourage you or others?
- Is there someone you can share encouragement with today?