16. 1 Jn 2_1 Our Advocate

Last month we finished chapter 1 John establishes the deity and the incarnation of Christ in verses 1-4. He begins verse 5 with the message that the apostles received from the Lord and they in turn passed on to them that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. He then follows with a series of tests to separate false professions of the Christian faith from true believers. With each negative there is the contrasting positive.

1Jn 1:6-9  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  (8)  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

But verse 10 is another matter altogether. 1Jn 1:10  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

There is no positive. And it shows with finality that those who say they have not sinned call God a liar. The accusation what God has called sin is not sin and also call Him a liar because His stated remedy for sin is not needed. John finishes that verse with the Word (logos). That word which was with God in the beginning and the word was God, is not in them. It is further evidenced by the fact that the Spirit’s work is, in part to convict the world concerning sin, and their denial of it means they have not had the first workings of the Holy Spirit in convicting them of their sin.

He moves on to addressing the true people of God and it is here were we pick up reading chapter 2:1-6. We will focus on verse 1 this morning.

1Jn 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (2) He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (3) And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. (4) Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, (5) but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: (6) whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

This verse is rich and deep. From the very first phrase we are captured in the love of God for His people and His great provision for our deepest need, Jesus Christ the Righteous our Advocate.

We know that John wrote his epistles, his gospel and Revelation toward the end of His life. He was certainly the last Apostle living but he may also have been one fo the lst people alive to seen or been with Jesus. Here we have a man near the end of his physical life writing a letter to the churches. If we were writing such a letter to our children what would be the tone and tenor of such a letter. Would it be harsh or would it be tender? Throughout his epistle he is pointing out who God is (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and what we as His children believe and as a result of our beliveing how we should live.

What is crystal clear in this text is a father’s care, a father’s concern, and a father’s comfort. May God us understanding and insight into the depths of the riches of His grace and mercy in Christ Jesus as we come to His word.

I. A Father’s Care – My little children

You know that every word of Scripture is inspired of God and as such every word is important. The very first word of this verse ‘My’ may not seem important or significant but what does it signify? It is a possessive pronoun. Through the inspiration of the Spirit this is John’s proclamation. But is it his only? No. It is also God’s proclamation. There is something about possession that separates and sets it apart from all others. There is an objective and subjective side. When I say Connie is my wife it sets her apart from all other wives that may be present. All in the room know she is my wife exclusively, which is the objective side but on the subjective side there is what I feel when I say it; a deep and abiding love and cherishing her in a way which sets her apart in my heart from all others. And there is also the aspect of how she feels when she hears it, loved, protected, and cared for.

All this is present when John is writing the letter and the churches are reading it. But when we remember that it is through the inspiration of God then it is also God’s heart. This is God’s declaration to you who are in Christ – Mine. We are His own possession. We are God’s treasured possession.

Tit 2:14  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

1Pe 2:9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

We are His by His decree from the foundation of the world. Chosen and predestined before the foundation of the world just as Paul in Eph 1:4,5 states. As those who He foreknew He also predestined, and those He predestined he also called and those whom He called he all justified and those who He justified, these He also glorified. His by Christ’s redemption on the cross on our behalf and His by the sanctification and sealing of the Holy Spirit on the appointed day of our salvation.

Little children – this is no insult considering there were probably a wide range of ages within the churches. The word literally mean born ones. It is used 8x in the NT. All of them are found in John’s writings. One was when Jesus was speaking to the apostles in the upper room and 7x in 1 John. It is a term of tender affection used by a teacher to his disciples under circumstances requiring a tender appeal. His tone is different from that which he displayed in verses 6-10. He was qualifying and quantifying the differences between those walking in the darkness and those walking in the light. But in 2:1 as a father addressing his children, those born of God who have passed the test of true faith. Those who have been born again through the Spirit’s renewing and regeneration imparting the gift of faith. It is God who has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Redeemed by His precious blood and brought in through the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out Abba, Father.

John appeals to them and to us as little children or born ones pressed by the continual attacks upon our faith and practice by those who pervert the gospel of Jesus Christ. And also as a reminder of our constant need and dependence on the Lord. Little children and infants are completely dependent on the watch care of their parents. But again, as a term of endearment, love, and affection. He keeps this tone throughout the letter using ‘little children’ 6 more times.

1Jn_2:12  I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.

1Jn_2:28  And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

1Jn_3:7  Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

1Jn_3:18  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1Jn_4:4  Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1Jn_5:21  Little children, keep yourselves from idols

It is a constant reminder of who they are and whose they are. As with them so with you. In the midst of His warnings against false teaching in the church he does not threaten, he does not cajole, he does not lose his temper, nor is there a hint of impatience with the people of God. He is speaking the truth in love, compassion and mercy.

Just a word of application before we move on. We are not an Apostle like John. Not all of us are pastor’s of local churches, but we are all pastors of one kind or another. Moms and Dads, are you tenderhearted and compassionate bringing your children up in the discpline and instruction of the Lord? Husbands, as the spirital heads of your faimilies, are you tenderhearted and compassionate? Moms? Friends, are you aring and compassionate with those who are struggling and in need? What is the tone and tenor of your instruction? Siblings, how do you treat one another? This has application for you as well.

No matter where you are in your faith in Christ right now, whether you are walking strong, or struggling, or returning as a prodigal, these words ‘my little children’ should warm your hearts and comfort your souls. Because these words, again are not only meant for the churches and Christians long ago. They are the Father’s words to you. God spared nothing in making you His little child. He sent His own Son, clothed in humanity. This Son shed His own blood willingly, joyfully in order to bring you home. All that the Father has given Him, He loses no one.

II. A Father’s Concern – I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.

If you thought John used the term ‘little children’ a lot you will be surprised to know that he uses the phrase ‘I am writing to you’ in some form 10x

1 John 1:4+ These things we write, so that (hina) our joy may be made complete.

1 John 2:1+ My little children, I am writing these things to you so that (hina) you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

1 John 2:7+ Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.

1 John 2:8+ On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.

1 John 2:12+ I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.

1 John 2:13+ I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

1 John 2:14+ I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

1 John 2:21+ I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

1 John 2:26+ These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.

1 John 5:13+ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that (hina) you may know that you have eternal life.

This term expresses purpose. The reason why he is writing. In 1:4 it is so their joy may be complete. Here the purpose is so that they will not sin. Most translations insert the word may as in ‘may not sin’ but there is no may in the Greek text. It literally reads ‘do not sin’.

What are the ‘these things’ he is referencing here? If is all that verse 5-10 spoke of in the previous chapter. It is the absolute holines of God in that God is light, and the necessity of walking in the light as he is in the light if we are to be in right relation to him. But it is also showing us the absolute calamity of walking in the darkness. Being a Christian is incongruent to sin. We are not to harbor it, minimize it, or condone it in any way,shape, or form. This is in essence the same thing Peter says.

1Pe 1:15-16  but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  (16)  since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

What Christ Jesus says, Mat 5:48  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The concern is that we should live as children of God, as children walking in the light as He is in the light. As obedient children not conforming ourselves to our former lusts. Having died to sin we live to righteousness. Rom 6:17-18  But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,  (18)  and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

3. A Father’s Comfort - But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

What might the repsonse be of one who did sin after hearing all that John had just written? What should the response be of any Christian who is serious about sin? It should grieve us. We have the anguish of heart and soul and we should have the attitude of the tax gatherer who was praying and could not list his face to heaven in his prayers. We know that we are cannot stand before the righteous judge of all the earth.

Our Father who calls us His little children is also He who judges sin. His justice will not let the guilty go unpunished so all will stand before Him. Our comfort is that we have an Advocate with the Father. You may ask yourself how can God call me His little child and all it infers and yet I need an advocate before Him? It is that He Himself has provided our Advocate.

1Jn 4:9-10  In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  (10)  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

How can we stand before God in judgement in all His holiness, majesty and glory. All other advocates would fail. The false advocate of our own good works would fail to plead our case because all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Religion, in and of itself, would fail to plead our case. Act 4:12  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The muslims believe Allah will weigh their good deeds against their bad and on those scales it is determined whether they will enter paradise. That statement alone proves Allah is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they claim and they will die in their sins. Hindus believe that they are reincarnated until they reach a holiness in which they enter Nirvana but this is not so. In as much as it is appointed from men to die once then comes judgement means all those who believe are decieved and will pay the price of eternal punishment. So God provided. Jesus Christ the righteous.

Do not sin but if you do you have an Advocate with the Father. And we will spend another Sunday exploring the advocacy of Christ.My prayer is that our hearts would be encouraged. You are the Lord’s children. His concern for you in that you should live according to your call and position as His children and do not sin. His comfort to you is that He Himself has provided an Advocate for you when we do sin so that we do not live in fear but in the infinite boundless love of God our Father.