Believers in Christ should know that we have all the tools we need to be victorious over sin. But it’s also important to be reminded that we have an advocate in Jesus Christ the righteous.
You can play, download, or read the transcript of this Take Note Podcast below.
An Advocate
1 John 2:1-6
- It’s important for believers in Christ to know
- That God gives us tools to avoid sin
- In the book where we find our text of the day
- Resources to help us “sin not” are front and center
- But we are also reminded of the great advocate we have in Christ
- Who made atonement for our sins
- For the sins of the whole world
- And who can bring us to completion in Him
- Capable of walking as He walked
- We’ll focus on Jesus “An Advocate”
- As that is our theme
- From 1 John 2:1-6
- If we know Christ as Savior
- If we are one of His disciples
- Then we know our mandate is to walk as He walked
- God is conforming us to His image
- The capabilities and resources we have in Him
- Are a key part of our text today
- We learn about the things Jesus has done
- And is continuing to do on our behalf
- These are things for which we need reminders
- Because our walk of discipleship can be difficult
- Let’s read all six verses first
- Then take a closer look at them individually…
1 John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
- We see John’s purpose for writing this letter as we begin…
1 John 2:1
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
- This is a hopeful and confident teacher
- One that understands the victory available in Christ
- Who is not despairing of his own sinfulness
- Or concerned disproportionately about mine
- John is doing something that often seems unusual
- Believing whole-heartedly the truth that the New Testament teaches
- That we are fully equipped to confront the Christian life
- Indwelled by the Holy Spirit that provides moment-by-moment help
- But there is a realism to the confidence
- Understanding we remain in these sinful bodies
- That we live in a sinful world
- And that temptation, which comes from our own lusts, are all around
- That realism gives opportunity to remind us of another wonderful truth
- Just as exciting as having the power to overcome sin through Christ
- Is the news that the Overcomer Himself is our advocate
- One who pleads another’s cause before a judge
- Not just declaring us righteous, which He does
- But being, Himself, our righteousness
- Meaning, He is not just a witness to our righteousness
- We have none of our own
- He is the giver of imputed righteousness
- Having been our replacement
- Taking upon Himself the punishment we deserved
- Now He declares us forgiven
- Justly granted mercy
- Based on what He has done
- As the text goes on…
1 John 2:2
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
- If you’re not familiar with the word propitiation
- It signifies “an expiation, a means whereby sin is covered and remitted”
- It is an atonement for sin
- He is the propitiation
- He is the atonement
- Our sin is blotted out because of Him
- Because of His sacrifice
- And no one is excluded from the scope of God’s mercy in Him
- As the text says…
“not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world”
- This is the good news
- This is the news every man and woman on earth needs
- It is an ongoing ministry to anyone that believes
- And life-giving hope to anyone who does not yet believe
- It is made clear, here, that good works cannot save
- Nothing we do can make us right with God
- Jesus does that
- With that being said…
1 John 2:3
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
- There is evidence for knowing Him
- For having faith in Him
- For embracing His atoning sacrifice
- When we receive Him as Savior and Lord
- He becomes our model
- The One after which we follow
- We read of His life in scripture
- We hear His words repeated
- And we determine to live by them
- This is only logical and right
- And, while not easy, it is simple
- We are His disciples
- His followers
- And there is a harsh reality that should also be logical…
1 John 2:4
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
- Believers are changed
- Once dead in trespasses and sins
- We are raised to life in Him
- Having the third person of the Godhead dwelling within us
- The Holy Spirit
- New creatures
- All things are changed
- God has changed what we want to do
- And changed our ability to do
- No longer slaves to sin
- We are free
- Knowing all this
- How can such a man reject God’s commands?
- How can that new creature choose (habitually) to disobey?
- To go the opposite direction of the what they propose to follow?
- They do not, according to this passage
- Not habitually
- Not as a pattern of life
- Not without the chastening and discipline of God
- The disobedient people that say they know Him are lying
- The truth is not in them
- There is more…
1 John 2:5
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
- There is a perfecting in the life of the person that keeps His word
- It is by keeping His word that we are demonstrating that we know Him
- Not gaining His favor
- Not earning our way to Him
- Demonstrating that we are indeed in Him
- We can show forth the love of God when we obey
- We can do so in a perfect, complete way
- And others will know that we know Him
- This reflection of His attributes is to glorify Him
- Because we can be sure of this…
1 John 2:6
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
- If we abide in Jesus
- It only makes sense that we would walk as He walked
- That we, because of our close fellowship with Him
- Would know His mind
- Would act in ways for which He would approve