Think of these two scriptures as bookends. In both, John calls his readers “children,” using a diminutive of the Greek word for child, expressive of endearment as well as relationship. As believers on the Lord Jesus, we are all children together, and family affection should pervade us. The apostle has highlighted this already by taking a father’s place in calling his readers “my children” and drawing attention to the vital connection between loving our brother and abiding in the light.

Now the first bookend: John refers to our sins being forgiven us. This is the starting point of Christian experience in this world. The Lord Jesus has been the God-glorifying sacrifice for our sins (1 Jn. 2:2), and His Father delights to honor Him for it by forgiving each one of His children for His name’s sake.

How wonderfully establishing it is to know this, whether we are fathers, young men, or infants. These are the books between the bookends: three stages of Christian growth, the last mentioned being the first we experience. The apostle uses a different word for “children” in verses 13 and 18, denoting immaturity rather than relationship, and the need for help and support. In light of this, note how much of the passage he devotes to them.

Finally, the other bookend: John exhorts all the children, the whole family, pressing the importance of abiding, or dwelling, in the Lord Jesus, so that whenever He comes there will be nothing in us inconsistent with Him coming in His glory. This is the climax of all Christian life here, whatever stage of growth has been reached. May it be as precious to us to cause praise from God then as to know our sins are forgiven us now.