I write to you, "young" men...

Overcoming Evil

(1 John 2:13b, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, April 17, 2016)

I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

Young men

The apostle John wrote to the churches so that they might be aided in their battle against sin. Over the last two weeks we have been considering a brief poetic section of 1 John where John distinguishes between “little children,” “fathers,” and now today “young men.” There is something to be said for applying all that he writes in these verses to everyone in the church. We have taken a different approach, using the words “little children” to refer to new believers, and the term “fathers” to address more mature leaders in the church. As we come to the final of these three labels, “young men,” it is our privilege to look at what the Bible says about this very important segment of the Lord's kingdom, and to make some applications for those who are in the thick of spiritual battle—those who have been given the strength from God to bear the burdens that the Lord has given us in His holy tabernacle.

I choose those two examples of young men, soldiers and tabernacle workers, because lower and sometimes upper age limits were commanded by the Lord when numbering those who were warriors and Levitical servants in ancient Israel. In Numbers 1 we encounter the expression “from twenty years old and upward” when describing those who were “able to go to war.” In the numbering of Levites who had specific tasks that supported divine worship, the ages were originally “from thirty years old up to fifty years old.” In the days of David this was changed to the same ages spoken of regarding warfare, “from twenty years old and upward.” In determining the value of people who were to be bought back out of bondage, age was relevant in assessing the price of a person according to the Law of Moses. One of the groups listed was males from twenty to sixty years of age—worth fifty shekels of silver (Leviticus 27:3). Caleb, a faithful contemporary of Joshua, was in his eighties at the time when Israel's young men were called to serve for the Lord in taking the Promised Land. He insisted that he was just as good as ever for the task (Joshua 14:10). He did not give up. May his tribe increase. But where would Israel have been without the energy of youth? Older men eventually reach the end of their days one way or another. Younger men need to take their places.

Still, when we think of specific young men in the Scriptures, they may not fit into our current categories as being young at all. We have already mentioned Caleb. His fellow soldier, Joshua, served Moses from his youth (Numbers 11:28). He died when he was 110. He was probably 20 years old when Moses sent him and others into Canaan in order to spy out the land, and about 60 when he led Israel into Jericho, meeting the true Commander of the Lord's army in Joshua 5:13-15. Samuel was just a little child when He began to serve the Lord. The young men who were sons of Eli were abusing their positions as priests of the Almighty (1 Samuel 2:22-25). They had the right age for their jobs, but lacked the requisite character.

The general category of young men in biblical history refers overwhelmingly to soldiers. Proverbs 20:29 tells us that “the glory of young men is their strength.” Prophets like Joel spoke of a coming day when a great host of unnamed young men would be spiritually gifted along with so many young women. Amos also prophesied regarding the day when God would raise up young men to be His special holy servants.

Today, many young men seem to be having a hard time finding their way in life. We need them very badly. Young women need them too. Perhaps they, and all of us young and old, need to hear a good word from 1 John 2, where the apostle writes with confidence about not only their future prospects, but also about their current status as winners—overcomers.

You have overcome

You might think, “That was then. This is now. Our world is a mess.” True, but there were plenty of troubles with first century society as well. It is not as if every young man that Jesus encountered in His earthly ministry was entirely clear-thinking and acting as he needed to. The rich young ruler in Matthew 19 is described using the same word that is translated “young men” in our text. That fellow went away sorrowful and defeated when Jesus challenged him to make a spiritually mature decision against the idolatry of wealth and for the surpassing greatness of following the Son of God. In Mark 14, the author, John Mark, describes a young man who ran away at the crucifixion of Christ, probably himself as a youth. That same John Mark caused so much trouble for Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey that they had quite a rift when Paul insisted that he not be allowed to be a part of the team for the second journey (Acts 15:36-41). Paul later changed his mind about Mark's usefulness (2 Timothy 4:11).

Where can young men and more seasoned men like Caleb find the strength and character that they need to serve? Our status as overcomers is not based on our own clear thinking and holy achievement. Jesus was a young man for us, and He won a great victory in His life and in His death. He was about 30 years old when He began His ministry (Luke 3:23).

Evil and the evil one

Since salvation belongs to the Lord (Psalm 3:8), and since Jesus came displaying power over death, even raising a young man from death (Luke 7:11-17), should we be surprised that we must come to Him for the help that we require? He is the only one who can defeat evil and the evil one (Colossians 2:15), but he enables us to crush Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20). Now we have been counted as more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). All of our strength for spiritual victory comes from the Captain of our salvation. We face many spiritual foes, and we have a responsibility to fight the good fight, but our confidence is in Christ alone. How then can we fight evil and overcome?

First, are you fighting in the right battle? Are you just fighting for Me Inc. and wondering why it is so hard to recruit staff? Have you truly surrendered to Jesus in all that you do. Someone recently told me about some advice that he received from a Christian mentor that changed his life. He told him, “Faith is taking Jesus Christ at His word and staking your life on it!” Until you surrender like that, it is not clear that you are in the right battle.

Second, if you are in the right battle, are you fighting for the right side? You may imagine that victory for Jesus and you is a matter of being approved by others. Have you made the world your judge, so that you do what it takes to please nice people, even if means denying the Word. You may need to consider Romans 12:1-2 again and resolved that you not be conformed to this world. Make it your aim to please Him (2 Corinthians 5:9). See 2 Timothy 2:1-7.

Finally, will you fight boldly in the Lord? Find courage in Jesus. Be empowered like Caleb until the end. God will strengthen you right now. Pray to Him. Have faith. Serve with joy.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 3 – Salvation belongs to the Lord

Gospel Reading—Luke 6:17-19 – The power of Jesus to heal