2:141 John 2:14

John speaks to fathers as mature believers who have come to know Christ who is from the beginning, to young men as those who are strong because God's word lives and remains in them and who have overcome the wicked one, and to little children as forgiven members of God's family who have known the Father.RH Mar 8, 1906+4 That strength comes only by constant study of the Scriptures and feeding upon Christ as daily bread, which gives power to resist temptation, stand worthy of trust, and grow up into Him as the living head.RH Jul 20, 1905+4 To overcome the wicked one is to refuse Satan's plans and the folly and evil prevailing in the world by putting on every piece of God's armor, confessing sin, and persevering in wholehearted obedience through Christ who overcame.RH Jul 20, 1905+4 God has chosen youth for the advancement of His cause because planning with clear mind and executing with courageous hand demands fresh, uncrippled energies, youthful vigor, zeal, and courage, to be spent in real service with broad ideas, wise plans, and thorough energy in whatever lies at hand.CT 535.1–2+4 This call stands joined to walking even as Christ walked by keeping His commandments and loving the brethren, and to turning affection from the love of the world and the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, in order to do God's will and endure forever.1T 498.1–499.1+2

Fathers are mature believers who have known Him who is from the beginning, and He who is from the beginning is Christ.RH Mar 8, 1906+4 They are old disciples and warriors of the faith, whose knowledge rests on eyewitness testimony of those who heard, saw with the eyes, looked upon, and handled with the hands the Word of life.Lt 39, 1894, par. 16–19+1 Those witnesses saw the manifested life and bore witness and declared the eternal life which was with the Father, that others might have fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ and that joy might be full.Lt 39, 1894, par. 16–19+1

They are seasoned disciples who remember the early events of the message, and their long experience of Satan's wiles enables them to remain faithful and to win further victories as witnesses for God.5T 584.3 That same experience fits them to teach and prepare the younger generation.5T 584.3 Having borne the burden in the heat of the day and appropriated the grace of Christ, they have been channels God used to communicate truth, depositories of sacred truth, and co-laborers with Christ in diffusing the light and truth that made the church what it is.Lt 39, 1894, par. 16–19

They are therefore to be respected, with their truth and counsel cherished with gratitude, their virtues imitated and their defects shunned.Lt 39, 1894, par. 16–19 Their mistakes are left for God alone to specify, their supposed defects kept silent, their names handled carefully, and none of God's workmen depreciated, even when laid in the grave with silent lips they sleep in Jesus.Lt 39, 1894, par. 16–19 Little children means not age in years but spiritual experience, describing those numbered with the family of God in heaven as God's property, whose sins are forgiven for His name's sake and who have known the Father.Ms 156, 1904, par. 17–18+3 The writing is sent to those obedient to His commandments.Ms 156, 1904, par. 17–18

John carefully distinguishes spiritual children and parents, setting apart little children, young men, and fathers.Ms 25, 1911, par. 23 Little children cannot have the experience older persons have, yet everyone even little children may have a rich experience in knowing God's will and ways and may have a real child's experience in overcoming just as older ones have theirs.Ms 25, 1911, par. 23+1 The address to young men includes young women also, for youth does not excuse anyone from responsibility.1T 498.1–499.1+2

Young men are strong because the word of God abides and remains living in them, and by that indwelling strength they have overcome the wicked one.RH Mar 8, 1906+4 That strength belongs to young believers and equips them to consecrate themselves to God's work and take hold of it.Ms 82, 1899, par. 8+1 It is joined to sober judgment, loyalty to God, courageous service, resistance to impurity and wickedness, faithful use of abilities in Christ's work, and use of education and knowledge for God's honor and the good of others.CE 89.2+1

That strength comes only by constant study of what the Scriptures say, not by spending time reading magazines and novels.Ms 56, 1905, par. 23–25+1 Only such constant study gives power to resist temptation, meet many temptations, proclaim the great truth, carry out sacred responsibilities, and stand worthy of being trusted with sacred responsibilities in God's cause.RH Jul 20, 1905+3 Weakness and doing wrong when beset by temptation come from not studying the Scriptures to practice them in daily life, while giving heed to the instructions in the Word calms impetuous desires, brings peace with God, ennobles and elevates character, and forms a heart uncorrupted, strong, brave, and determined to fight manfully.ST Oct 10, 1895+1 Plain wholesome food, uprightness, and disciplined use of time belong with gaining victories and becoming fit for sacred responsibilities.RH Jul 20, 1905

The abiding word means feeding on Christ and growing up into Him as the living head, with His word and His flesh and blood as daily bread.Lt 174, 1899, par. 17–19+1 Such feeding replaces all that is superficial with a deep, fervent, solid experience that makes believers reliable in every place.Lt 174, 1899, par. 17–19+1 The word abiding within makes believers pure and fills them with faith, hope, courage, and devotion.5T 585.2+2 That purity and fullness fit them to come into contact with burdens and responsibilities, to lift burdens and take up the work where experienced older workers leave it, and to plan, give counsel, execute, and carry responsibilities in God's work.5T 585.2+1

To be strong by the indwelling word is the highest kind of education young men may attain.Ms 37, 1885, par. 6–10 It gives spiritual sinew and muscle to stand against hereditary and cultivated tendencies that would hamper the work and make them weak where they should be strong.Lt 174, 1899, par. 17–19+1 It is reached by making improvement every day, pressing forward every day for grace and power, seeking deeper insight into truth, unlearning and learning over again, never resting content with present attainments, strictly guarding habits, practicing neatness and order in everything, making the Bible the highest standard, and using schooling and training to gain correct speech and refined habits.Ms 37, 1885, par. 6–10+1 The abiding word is the appointed instrument of salvation and an unfailing supply of counsel from above, so the consecrated laborer receives strength from above and serves with energy and power as an earnest, powerful, quick worker, growing up into Christ in all things instead of carrying out Satan's plans to stir up strife and hurt and bruise souls.GW 64.2+2 Knowing God in the sense the verse implies comes only as Moses knew Him, by beholding the glory of His character.Ms 4, 1897, par. 19

To have overcome the wicked one means resisting temptation and prevailing over the folly, wickedness, and evil prevailing in the world instead of carrying out Satan's plans to stir up strife and hurt and bruise souls.RH Jul 20, 1905+2 God watches over and gives strength to those who put on every piece of the armor and stand ready to resist the tempter when he seeks to lead them astray, keeping their eyes fixed on Christ while striving for heaven and for a life that measures with the life of God.RH Jul 20, 1905+1 Victory calls for wearing every piece of God's armor and refusing to be turned from the truth by supposition or sophistry, refusing to allow Satan to tamper with the mind because once admitted his hold is not easily broken, and confessing sins before God and taking hold of His power so that sophistry has no power.RH Jul 20, 1905+2 Gaining such victories belongs with plain, wholesome food, uprightness, and disciplined use of time to become fit for sacred responsibilities.RH Jul 20, 1905

Overcoming is shown by remaining faithful through severe trials and by wholehearted, repentant obedience honoring God in every word, business transaction, and act.Ms 55, 1902, par. 6 Youth who persevere in doing God's will overcome through Christ, who overcame for them, and are joined to divine strength.Ms 55, 1902, par. 6 Overcoming is a battle to be fought over and over again.Lt 174, 1899, par. 17–19+1 It requires pressing forward every day for grace and power, continually seeking deeper insight and never resting content with present attainments.Lt 174, 1899, par. 17–19+1

God's word abiding in the heart is incompatible with readily yielding innocence and virtue to lust.CH 657.1–2+1 Those who surrender to lustful passions and sensuality show that God's word does not abide in them.CH 657.1–2+1 Being overcome and doing wrong at times need not discourage, because Jesus pities and loves even when mistakes are made, does not leave sinners to perish but pleads with the Father in their behalf, and forgives when they are sorry for the wrongs and ask Him.Lt 22a, 1879, par. 17 Even little children who cannot have an older person's experience may have a rich, real child's experience in knowing God's will and in overcoming just as older ones have theirs.Lt 22a, 1879, par. 17 The promise is illustrated by the disciples' missed opportunity in Gethsemane: if they had watched and prayed with Jesus, God would have strengthened them and heavenly angels would have defended them through the coming test, they might then have stood firm, Peter would not have been left to his own weakness to deny Jesus, and they would not have lost faith when they saw Him die on the cross.ST Dec 9, 1897

God has chosen youth to aid the advancement of His cause, because planning with clear mind and executing with courageous hand demands fresh, uncrippled energies, and young men and women are invited to give God the strength of their youth so that through keen thought and vigorous action they may bring glory to Him and salvation to their fellow men.CT 535.1–2+1 That strength is to be used in every branch of the work, bringing youthful vigor, zeal, courage, clear thought and energetic action to bear for God's glory and the salvation of others.CT 535.1–2+1

Their strength includes the vigor of youth and health for diligent study and for burden-bearing, with eyes not dimmed and brain power not worn by constant taxation, fitting younger and stronger brethren to take up heavy burdens as older workers lay them down.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 27–29+2 So fitted, they are to plan, devise and execute stern, earnest work yoked with Christ, with truth abiding within, denying self, lifting the cross and following Jesus, and to come into contact with burdens and responsibilities to lift them, give counsel, and carry the work forward where experienced workers leave it.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 27–29+2 Made pure, full of faith, courage, hope and devotion by the Word abiding in them, they are to go forth in full trust to do and dare, becoming heaven's chosen repositories to present truth to the people in contrast with error and superstition and to give the truth to others.Ms 134, 1898, par. 21+1

Young and old workers are to unite their forces harmoniously in brotherly love, mutual counsel, prayer and respect, receiving wisdom from Christ, after the pattern of Elijah training youth in the schools of the prophets.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 27–29+2 That union is developed by faithful teaching and counsel from older, experienced laborers, while younger workers treat aged workers tenderly as fathers, look up to them as counselors and guides, and respect their age and experience.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 27–29+2

Young men have talents the church should recognize and put to use in missionary work, with experienced workers uniting with them and kindly teaching them to make right use of their entrusted talent of time.Ms 4, 1897, par. 19+1 They must not wait for some large work or honorable position but take hold of small and humble duties and do them well, beginning at the lowest round and climbing carefully, perseveringly and humbly, faithful in little duties to be trusted with larger duties.Lt 57, 1874, par. 2–3 Capacity or learning matters infinitely less than the spirit in which the work is done, for what is needed is not great learned men or eloquent sermonizers but men given to God and filled with His Spirit, sanctified, self-sacrificing, strong, valiant and fit for worthy enterprises, entering covenant by sacrifice and willing to go outside the camp bearing reproach.Ms 3, 1899, par. 41–42 Such workers are no idlers or sluggards but faithful expositors who put forth utmost energy, keep learning, keep their souls alive to the sacredness and responsibility of the calling, refuse to offer what costs neither study nor prayer, and go forward with faith and hope where God sends with His counsel as unfailing supply, quick, earnest and powerful.Ms 3, 1899, par. 41–42

The verse sets an elevated standard that calls youth into real service for God, holding broad ideas and wise plans, making the most of opportunities, catching the inspiration and courage of the apostles, and learning in Christ's school.Ms 134, 1898, par. 15–16+2 That service means doing whatever lies at hand with thoroughness and energy rather than sitting idle for want of something great, growing talents by use for the Master who bought them at infinite cost, and giving the highest intellectual, spiritual and physical powers wholeheartedly to God.RH Apr 10, 1913+2 It calls for large-hearted, large-minded young men who are not trifling but hear the Word and obey it, who begin life's work with high and holy purpose resolved never to leave the path of rectitude, who carefully weigh every step because a wrong start brings peril and disaster away from truth, safety and success, and whose intellect is strengthened and moral energies quickened by divine power.Ms 134, 1898, par. 15–16+1 There is urgent need for trustworthy young men, including men of literary qualifications, to labor in extensive harvest fields, and young men of even ordinary ability who give themselves wholly to God, cultivate industry and study, improve entrusted abilities, and remain uncorrupted by vice and impurity will succeed and do a great work by remaining sober-minded and not loving the world.RH Apr 3, 1913+1

That service means consecrating themselves wholly to God to do or suffer His will, not content to be weak in religious experience or to live in the world to please self, but truehearted and making a business of serving God with undaunted courage and resolution to do something now to make the world better.Lt 57, 1874, par. 2–3+2 It calls them to obey Christ as Captain, enlist under His banner, carry the cross, dare to be true and brave, and battle against all wrong, especially every form of intemperance, resisting worldliness and wickedness in high places and in low, impurity, falsity and every enslaving habit.Lt 57, 1874, par. 2–3+1 Intensity and decisive fighting are needed to save those perishing without Christ, because Satan is intense in deceiving souls and gathering them under his banner of apostasy and rebellion, and even the smallest humble service for Christ is made great and sure of reward through His majesty.Lt 57, 1874, par. 2–3+1

It requires sober-minded loyalty on holy ground as God's agents and co-workers with Christ, partakers with Him of self-denial, self-sacrifice, forbearance and gracious benevolence for the upbuilding and advancement of His cause.1MR 318.1+2 Following Daniel's example and remembering that angels are around them, they are to value their high calling, walk carefully, begin life's work with high and holy aims, lose no time, and yoke themselves with Christ.MYP 176.1+2 Therefore they must put away levity, jesting and joking, selfish amusement and gratification, spendthrift habits and waste, learn habits of economy, rise in God-given manhood above every enslaving and debasing habit, ponder well the paths their feet tread, and carefully and prayerfully study Scripture and the waymarks to know whether their feet lead heavenward or to perdition.1MR 318.1+2 This strength and victory support a life in which learning is pursued to honor God and benefit humanity, with Jesus as teacher and the formation of Christian character as the goal.FE 191.3–192.1+1

It requires manliness and firmness of Christian character instead of a cheap profession that misleads others about Christ, with every person young and old doing his best for God and becoming a spiritual help and blessing to fellow workers.Lt 2, 1895, par. 1–4+1 That character comes by more than surface work, by a deep experience gained in bringing the light of God's Word into the heart and searching it as with a lighted candle, holding forth the Word of life and standing every day and hour in the path of reform while using every talent to highest usefulness.Ms 4, 1897, par. 16+1 Its strength is a heart uncorrupted, strong, brave and determined to fight manfully in the struggle before them to glorify God and bless humanity, with impetuous desires calmed by making the Bible the study and listening to the voice of Creator and Redeemer, which brings peace with God and a character ennobled and elevated.Ms 4, 1897, par. 16+1

The most earnest warfare must first be against self, and the greatest work for each young man is personal victory over self by putting to death self-will, masterfulness and harshness and learning humility, obedience and service in the spirit of Christ.Lt 64, 1897, par. 16–20+1 God calls young men and young women to His standard to fight the battles of the Lord bravely and to devote all entrusted ability and talents to His service, doing whatever they can in the love and fear of God.Lt 64, 1897, par. 16–20+1 Churches must preserve this God-given strength and keep God's work abiding in them rather than allowing one good cause to consume resources needed for the wider work.4MR 414.5–415.2

Young people should be entrusted with responsibility and taught to work for God and their companions, serving quietly and helping their peers rather than living to themselves, since every soul redeemed by Christ's blood has a destiny to fulfill and exerts influence for good or evil.Ms 22, 1886, par. 2+2 They are to study diligently, improve entrusted abilities, keep learning and have God's Word abiding in them as they prepare for work, with correct habits without which they cannot perform their life's work.Ms 22, 1886, par. 2+2 By careful, prayerful searching of the Bible and the waymarks they are to inquire diligently whether their feet are in the path leading heavenward or in the path leading to perdition.Ms 22, 1886, par. 2

The strength described belongs to a life that walks just as Christ walked, in pity, tenderness and compassion, by keeping His commandments, loving fellow believers, and remaining in the light where there is no stumbling.Ms 52, 1904, par. 33–38 It belongs together with the command not to love the world nor the things in the world, turning affection away from the world to Christ and heaven.1T 498.1–499.1+4 Love for worldly desire — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but of the world and shuts out the Father's love, while doing God's will brings hope of enduring life forever when the world and its lust pass away.1T 498.1–499.1+4 This call stands in the last time, when many antichrists have gone out from among God's people, and it summons every believer and unbeliever to make Christ a daily personal Saviour in lifelong persevering effort proportionate to the worth of eternal life.Ms 52, 1904, par. 33–38+1

Those made strong by the abiding word have an anointing from the Holy One and know all things, because they know the truth and no lie belongs to the truth.RH Mar 20, 1900 The chapter is to be read and studied together with 1 John 1 in order to walk in knowledge of the truth, partake of the divine nature, keep the mind from crowding things, understand Christ's plain teachings, gain genuine experience of great value, and walk humbly with God.Lt 116, 1910, par. 2–6 The light in John's first epistle is in perfect harmony with speaking the truth in love and growing up into Christ the Head, with the whole body fitly joined together and edified in love.Ms 148, 1903, par. 12–18 That light means much for those living in the last days and is to be studied together with the warnings about leaving the first love, showing that presenting beautiful theories will not suffice unless Christ's love is in the heart giving fragrance to words and works, and that loss of this love is loss of all things.Ms 148, 1903, par. 12–18

The verse gives instruction from Christ to be studied in order to be ready for the Lord's appearing.Lt 368, 1904, par. 14–15 It forbids exalting self and disparaging others, and urgently calls every soul in the great day of atonement to criticize self, set the heart in order, confess and forsake sin, and make diligent work of repentance unto cleansing, with not a moment to lose because souls are in peril.Lt 368, 1904, par. 14–15 Young men are therefore to review the past year seriously, call their thoughts home to the true Center, and face the account of their entrusted time before a heart-searching God.Ms 4, 1897, par. 19 The same word gives inspiration for Godlike energy to go forward in Godlike manhood with heroic and undaunted resolution to bless the world, to make the mark high, and to pass through this world once leaving no black and ugly blots or shameful record on the pages of the heavenly record.Lt 36, 1876, par. 9