Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Eastern.
In Lesson 35, we are going to study 1 John 2:12.
Let’s read our verse.
1 John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.
Let’s get started by defining the words in this verse.
I am writing (1125. graphó) means to express in written characters.
little children (5040. teknion) means an infant, darling, or someone deeply loved or endeared.
because your sins (3754. hoti) (266. hamartia) means since you have missed the mark and violated God’s divine law in thought or in act.
have been forgiven (863. aphiémi) means sent away, released, or let go.
through His name (1223. dia) (846. autos) (3686. onoma) means on account of or because of Jesus’ authority, fame or reputation.
In this verse, John is addressing all believers, whom he deeply loves and endures. The believers he is addressing are children of God.
In John 1:12, we read, that when you receive Him and believe in His name, you have the right to become a child of God and will be a part of God’s family.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.
The first thing to understand, as a child of God, is that your sins have been forgiven.
John is reminding his readers that their sins have been forgiven because of Jesus.
This forgiveness is not based your own human merit or works, but solely on the grace of God through Christ.
Forgiveness is a gift from God.
Take a moment to be grateful for the forgiveness you have received through Christ's sacrifice and remember that your identity is that of a beloved child of God.
Say this out loud: "I am a child of God, and through the name of Jesus my sins have been forgiven. Thank you, God."
Let’s read some verses about the forgiveness that comes through the name of Jesus.
In Acts 4:12, we read that salvation can only be obtained through the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (NLT)
In Acts 10:43, we read that through the name of Jesus, everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins through His name.
Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
In Acts 13:38-39, we read that it is only through Jesus that you can receive forgiveness of sins, and not through the Law of Moses.
Acts 13:38-39 “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.
In Ephesians 1:7, we read that we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, because of God's grace. We do not have to earn our redemption.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
In conclusion, John is addressing believers as "little children" because they are a part of God's family and he deeply loves them. He is reminding them that they are forgiven through the name of Jesus.
When you believe in Jesus, you will become a child of God and will receive forgiveness of your sins according to His grace.
It is only through the name of Jesus that you can receive salvation.
Say this out loud again: "I am a child of God, and through the name of Jesus, my sins have been forgiven. Thank you, God."
Let’s read our verse one more time.
1 John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.
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Thank you, and God bless you,
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by Arto Marttinen on Unsplash. Ghandruk, Nepal. Berean Standard Bible.)
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Lesson 35 - 1 John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.