Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing Uqinisil’Ubaba: After travelling the whole world, I still come to the same truth that I left at home: God is truth! So why do you doubt? Don’t doubt, hold on to him and place your hope in him. Listen to God because he is truth.

(Lyrics currently unavailable)

Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John.

1 John 2:12-17

I am writing to you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.

I am writing to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young people,

because you have conquered the evil one.

I write to you, children,

because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young people,

because you are strong

and the word of God abides in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.

In John’s letter, he addresses four groups of people: little children, children, young people and fathers. These titles refer not just to age, but to the stages of spiritual maturity among the community. Where might you place yourself? Or perhaps you feel you belong to more than one group. For example, being a spiritual mother or father, as well as being a child of God.

John’s words may serve us as a reminder of what our faith means to us or meant to us in the early days of our faith.

‘I am writing to you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.’

Can you remember how it felt when you knew that your sins had been forgiven?

As you listen to these words again, listen with your heart, as if receiving this letter personally. Notice which words most move you.

1 John 2:12-17

I am writing to you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.

I am writing to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young people,

because you have conquered the evil one.

I write to you, children,

because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young people,

because you are strong

and the word of God abides in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.

‘And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.’

Take a moment to think about the desires of the world, compared to the desire for the Lord and for doing his will.

In the quiet now, speak with the Lord about something from John’s letter that has moved you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen