1 John 2:12

1 John 2:12 says, I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.  John said that he wrote to little children because if they put their faith in Jesus Christ I believe, their sins were forgiven.  It could also be seen as meaning that before little children are old enough to know right from wrong that they are saved by Jesus Christ.  Either way, we must acknowledge that John tells us that little children can be saved by faith, and we should not discourage them from putting their faith in Jesus Christ once they are old enough to know right from wrong.  

Verse thirteen adds, I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.  John then specified three ages that he was writing to.  He wrote to fathers whom he said had known Jesus Christ who was from the beginning.  He said he was writing to young men because they had overcome the wicked one, not by their own ability, but by faith in Jesus Christ.  He said he was writing to little children because they had known the Father, which once more we can understand as knowing that they are known by God before they are old enough to understand right from wrong, or that they know the Father because they know the Son after they are old enough.  

Verse fourteen continues, I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.  John then spoke to the fathers and young men, but not the little children, I believe because they were more capable of doing the work of God.  He said the fathers had known Jesus Christ, Who is the One Who was from the beginning, or eternal.  So, this would apply to fathers who had put their faith in Him.  John said he wrote to young men because they were strong and the word of God lived in them, so once more, this would apply to young men who were Christians.  Older Christians should have more understanding about God, but younger Christians may have a greater strength to carry out His work, but both are needed. 

Verse fifteen states, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  John warns Christians that we aren't to love the world.  I believe this means that we aren't to put a desire for the things of this world above our desire to do God's work and that we are to live by His standards instead of the world's standards.  John then says if we love the world or live by worldly desires instead of faith to God, that God's love is not in us. 

Verse sixteen adds, For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  John then gives some examples of loving the world more than God.  If we live guided by lust for the things of the world and self-pride, then we live by standards that are not from God. 

Verse seventeen continues, And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  John then said that the world and the lust for it will pass away, but the will of God will last forever.  Only the things that we do for God will have any lasting value when Jesus Christ returns in judgment.