Jesus Christ, Our Advocate, 1 John 2:1-2

Introduction

“Little children … “

Purpose … “these things” - refers us back to 5 - 10

“If sin is a reality and it is impossible for me to live a sinless life, why bother? If I sin, big deal. God will forgive me.”

As a Christian, I have liberty and am no longer under the Law, so I can do what I want to do. If I sin, God will forgive me.”

Romans 5:20–21 CSB

The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:20–21 ESV

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Don’t Sin

Passage could be read: “Watch out that you don’t sin! But if you do, you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One.”

Passage could be read: “Watch out that you don’t sin! But if you do, you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One.”

We need to remember we have been saved from sin … not to sin.

We will not reach sinless perfection on this side of eternity.

1 John

Our goal should be to live each day not willfully sinning in thought, word, attitude, motive or deed.

Through the process of sanctification we grow, and through the “transformation of our minds” (by the Word of God and enabling power of the HS)

We don’t become sinless … but we will sin less.

In context, John is concerned about our Fellowship with God.

He knows that the thing we need most is to be in fellowship with Him.

John is a realist about sin in our lives, no one is immune to it:

Not you, not your Small Group Leader, not your Discipler, not your Pastor … young/old, spiritual mature/immature

1 John 1:8 CSB

If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8 CSB

If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8–9 CSB

If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John

1 john 1:8-9

The ground is level at the foot of the cross

He does not categorize sin

1 John

So then, the desire is not to sin … How do we best live right?

Moment by moment ...

Depending on the enabling power of the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:25 CSB

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 CSB

And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:

“ … but be filled with the Spirit.”

Plerro - 3 shades in it’s meaning:

pressure - like wind on a sail … the boat is carried along, pushed … not under it’s own will … Another example, stick thrown in a stream

permeation - alka seltzer

domination - complete/total control … every emotion/thought and act of the will

the mind

parallel passage

Colossians 3:16 CSB

Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Philippians 4:8 CSB

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.

When you do, don’t despair

When You do, Don’t Despair

For the one who is desirous of righteousness and fellowship w/God

When you do, don’t despair

“ … we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ the righteous one.”

Advocate = one who comes forward on behalf of and as the representative of another. In the Greek writers, used of a legal advisor, pleader, proxy

Images of Perry Mason, Matlock and Law & Order come to my mind … the courtroom scene …

one who comes forward in behalf of and as the representative of another.

Judge = The Father, His job is to see that the rule of Law is held to and to weigh the evidence presented … render sentence.

Psalm 7:11 CSB

God is a righteous judge and a God who shows his wrath every day.

Psalm 7:11

Prosecutor = Satan, presents evidence to convict the accused of breaking the law

Revelation 12:10 CSB

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down.

Defendant = You and Me, the party accused of violating the law

John 3:18 CSB

Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

Defense Attorney = Prove the parties innocence of violating the law

1 John 2:1 CSB

My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.

1 John 2:

But He doesn’t plead our case for innocence … instead, He acknowledges our guilt to the Father.

But, you see Father, I gave myself as a payment for his sin … I took his sin upon me on Calvary’s cross … I bore the guilt and the shame … I paid the price by my sinless blood … and I bore Your wrath, satisfying the demand of punishment by death … and I rose victoriously, defeating sin and death so the he might have life, and that eternally. He does not have to face the second death.

He has heard what I did on his behalf and he has trusted in Me and the provision made through Me for his Salvation.

His name has been written in the ledger … The Lamb’s Book of Life … his name has been written in the eternal pages in the ink of my Blood!

Romans 8:33–34 CSB

Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

Romans 8:34 CSB

Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

1 Timothy 2:5–6 CSB

For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

1 timothy

Atoning Sacrifice (propitiation)

The Mercy Seat in the Tabernacle

Don’t Keep it to Yourself