How obedience avoids conflict – The cooperation of young and old in the body of Christ

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A healthy church encompasses virtually every age range. Communication between the older and younger generations isn't always smooth. The Christian virtue of obedience seems to be losing popularity. Scripture calls on Jesus' followers to work together in unity within the body of Christ. How can this be put into practice? What importance should we place on the leaders of the church and their insights?

“I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning . I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning . I have written 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).

 

Stagnation means regression

In 1 John 2:12-14, the Apostle John addresses three different groups of people: fathers, young men (youths), and children. However, he begins with the words, "I am writing to you, children..." Here, the children are not meant as a special group. This introduction is addressed to the entire congregation (cf. 1 John 2:28; 3:7 and 5:21). He places everyone on a common level. John sees himself here as the father of the congregation and writes accordingly in a fatherly, admonishing style. After this preamble, he begins to explicitly address different groups, which he distinguishes based on their spiritual maturity or understanding—not necessarily according to their biological age.

This division is not only found in the first-century church, but also in every church today. From the moment a person becomes a believer, their spiritual development begins, accompanied by increasing understanding. Besides the aforementioned commonality (verse 12), John also emphasizes significant differences between the groups in verse 14.

It is important to emphasize that healthy spiritual development should be evident in the life of a believer. We call this form of progress sanctification, and it should never cease. The Apostle Peter puts it this way in 1 Peter 2:2: “Be like newborn babies, longing for pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”

Are we striving to become perfect men? Are we making every effort to become spiritual fathers?

Compelling differences

As already mentioned, in verse 12, the Apostle John presents the church with the important common foundation of the gospel: the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. This is the starting point for every person who has come to faith. From that moment on, we were all equal. The German theologian Werner de Boor expresses this as follows: "The forgiveness of sins is something we can never take for granted, but rather a wonderful gift that we must constantly reaffirm" (Wuppertal Study Bible, R. Brockhaus, 1 John, p. 57). The Apostle John points to this precious truth because he foresees some dangers facing the church. He strives to pass on the biblical foundations unaltered so that the church can preserve them. His accompanying concerns are clearly evident.

As the first century drew to a close, some Christians began to turn away from the truth in Jesus. This prompted the disciple of Jesus to write the three Epistles of John. He felt responsible, as the father of the church, for countering external influences such as heresies (Gnosticism, cf. 1 John 5:20). He warned against abandoning one's first love and turning to the world (cf. 1 John 2:15-17).

Furthermore, John recognizes that the founding generation is no longer alive, and thus the connection to those who knew Jesus personally is lost. It is not without reason that John's letters are also called "love letters," as the apostle lovingly corrects the church while also sharing his concerns. His "children" are to understand that the church's beliefs and teachings are based on Jesus' personal teachings to his disciples—and not on human wisdom.

Even though believers are united by the same act on the cross, there are still significant differences in their spiritual development. Shouldn't the spiritual children and young men therefore listen to the elders of the church and benefit from their wisdom and experience?

The problem of the generation gap

A healthy church of God can be roughly divided into two groups of people. First, there are the older members of the church, whom John refers to as "fathers." Then there are the younger members of the body of Christ, whom the apostle calls "young adults" or "young men." The "children" of the faith also belong to this category.

There has always been a gap between young and old. Older people have accumulated a wealth of experience throughout their lives. However significant and valuable this experience may be, it is not the decisive criterion. John singles out the patriarchs because they recognized the one who is from the beginning (v. 13). From this, it can be concluded that they stand in a personal and living connection with the one who was there from the beginning (cf. Col. 1:18).

To the young men, however, the apostle writes that they are strong, that the word of God abides in them, and that they have overcome the evil one (v. 14c). This means they have already won the victory and should now live in it. The children, in turn, have recognized the Father (v. 14a), but need the care that guides them and supports them in all matters of life. For it is the fathers who possess wisdom and understanding (cf. Job 12:12).

In 1 John 2:12-14, it is clear that the younger generation depends on the older generation. It is extremely important to Jesus' disciple that the church not be led astray by false teachers and deceivers. Therefore, the younger generation should listen to those who lead the way in faith as fathers (cf. Deuteronomy 32:7).

One example of such a generational conflict is the topic of music. While some of the younger generation increasingly listens to modern music and wants to integrate it into church services, the older generation, in particular, prefers tried-and-tested songs, hymns that have been sung through suffering. Not every song categorized as "Christian" is automatically inspired by the Spirit. It's not just the lyrics that are decisive; there are various factors that play a role in the selection of hymns for worship. This is where experienced members of the congregation who can offer a sound evaluation in the musical field are needed.

The generation gap, particularly in areas like music, can be countered by living according to Christian virtues. In particular, the humble and obedient transformation of the younger generation should become visible.

The impeccable motive

Especially when it comes to matters of faith, young people often say to church leaders: "We live in a completely different time than you do. Your views are outdated and no longer relevant!" But is that really true? Have the views of our parents and religious leaders truly gone out of fashion?

Biblical values and principles are not limited by time, but remain valid as long as this world exists in its current form and beyond (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). What Jesus preached to humanity and his disciples is still of paramount importance for us today.

What has become certain for us in faith, we should defend with all means and not falsify.

As Bible-believing Christians, it is essential to believe that there are absolute and universally valid truths. These truths are valid regardless of time and place—that is, always. Today's youth often reject objective truth and believe that truth can be multifaceted and is not clearly definable. This view is shaped by influences, for example, at school, at work, or through secular music. As a result, young people dismiss biblically grounded truths as mere tradition and no longer relevant.

The poet of Psalm 119 expresses his desire in verse 33: “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your decrees, and I will keep them to the end.” God’s decrees, principles, and doctrines are not subject to the spirit of the age but are always relevant. It is of great importance to critically examine new and differing insights and to place trust in the proven, biblically sound wisdom of our forefathers.

One point I would like to emphasize in conclusion: When our fathers ask something of us, it is not out of a desire for control, but out of the love of our heavenly Father. The blameless motive is love (cf. 1 John 4:10).

When God gave the Ten Commandments to His people Israel, He did not do so to forbid His children anything, but so that they might lead a holy life pleasing to God (cf. Deut 5:1).

Our King considers it extremely important that we treat our church leaders—the patriarchs—with obedience and humility. They want us to attain a deeper knowledge of God and to experience our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ personally. They have shown us how. They see life from God's perspective and weigh everything against God's will. Moreover, the patriarchs possess a foresight that the young men lack. Where the young men now stand, the patriarchs have long been. From their experience and their spiritually fulfilled lives, they can be a role model for us in all situations.

Let us walk in obedience and remain in the unadulterated truth—in the original and not in the copy. The Apostle John expresses it this way: “What you have heard from the beginning should remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father” (1 John 2:24).

 

Jonas Schimann

Municipality of Hanover

 

Bible passages are taken from the Elberfeld translation.

Literature:

[1] Boor, W. (2018). Wuppertal Study Bible. SCM R. Brockhaus

[2] McDowell, J. (2002). Generation without ties? CV Dillenburg

[3] Maier, W. Script for community work. Stephanus Bible School

[4] Kelly, W. (Reprint 2023). Introductory lecture on the First Epistle of John. VCG