1 John 2:1-2

1 John 2:1-2

Most Bible teachers agree that the first two verses of chapter 2 conclude the discussion of chapter 1. John uses the phrase “my little children.” It is a term of fatherly concern. John sees himself as their (believers) spiritual father and they as his spiritual children. John says, “As a spiritual father, I am writing to you these things, the things of 1:5–10, so that you may not sin.” John has made it clear that in this life we cannot be sinless (but note again the future promise of 3:2!), but he does believe we can sin less because we are now in intimate fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ (1:3). We will still sin until we are glorified. What do we do when we sin? Well, in 1:9 John tells us to confess our sins, if we confess our sins, we will be forgiven. But what we have to know is that Just because Jesus is willing to forgive our sins doesn’t mean we can feel free to keep on sinning. This Scripture is written so we won’t sin.

1. Jesus is our advocate

Now in 2:1, he tells us to flee to our Savior who is our “advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One.”  An advocate represents Cline in the court, right? Likewise, Jesus is our advocate because He speaks to God the Father on our behalf and His defense for us is based on His sacrifice.

The word “advocate” means helper, one who is called to come alongside in a time of need. This helper helps us when we sin. He is the cleanser of sin (1:7), the forgiver of sin (1:9), and the helper when we do sin. The word “Advocate “occurs five times in the New Testament (John 14:16, 26; 15:25; 16:7; 1 John 2:1). Four times it refers to the Holy Spirit. Only here in our text it refers to the Lord Jesus who can be our advocate because He is “the Righteous One.”

2. Jesus is our atonement

John now informs us why Jesus can be our advocate. It is because He made a “propitiation,” (propishiation) an atonement for our sins. The word carries the idea of satisfaction. Jesus sacrificed his life in our place. He paid the price for our sin with his death. He is our atoning sacrifice (sacrifice that pays the price and allows forgiveness). Jesus Christ, by His bloody sacrifice on the cross, satisfied God’s holiness and turned away His righteous wrath from sinners. The wrath that should have been poured out on sinners was poured out on Jesus. The judgment that should have been experienced by sinners like you and me was experienced by Jesus. The hell that should have been experienced by sinners like you and me was experienced by Jesus. Jesus’ atoning sacrifice is sufficient not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world.

So, the question is Does this mean that everyone is saved? No, the Bible makes it clear that not everyone will be saved (Matt. 7:14; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:21). Matthew 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Galatians 5:21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But anyone who hears the gospel can be saved if he or she wants to be (Rev. 22:17). The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Conclusion

My beloved brothers and sisters, we must confess our sin when we fail. If we claim to be without sin, it is a sign that we are walking in darkness. Confession of sin allows us to continue to walk in light. Confess the sin that the Holy Spirit convicts you. Accept and rest in the forgiveness that God offers you. We have a helper in our heart (the Holy Spirit) and a helper in heaven (Jesus Christ the Righteous One). As a result, Romans 8:39 says, no sin can “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”