The Advocate

1 Jn. 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.

 

John's purpose was for the believers, his children in the faith, to be free from sin. But he knew that his children [as well as himself] were in a body of flesh, flesh that would wage war against the spirit. He went on to tell them that if they do sin [notice, not when they do sin], they have an advocate with the Father, the indwelling Jesus Christ. He is the propitiation for our sins, the righteous substitute who paid the price for my sin [and all the world]. He was the substitute who bore God's wrath and turned it into favor. John already said in Chapter 1 that if we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Confession is the key. Sin must be dealt with immediately.

 

However, our attitude should not be one of carelessness toward sin since we have Jesus, but instead we should want to grow ever closer to Him. John said that by this we know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments. Obedience should characterize our lives! Whoever claims that they know Christ but fails to obey is a liar and the truth is not in him. Strong Words! It is better that John states this plainly so people are not deceived. The believer's attitude must be one of obedience to the truth of the word. Whoever keeps His word, in Him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him; Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked. There it is simply stated but not simply lived out! Only through grace is this possible.

 

Father,

I know Jesus and love Him, but still I do not obey all the time. Give me the strength to obey the Word and to be in the Word so that I know what should be seen in my life. Give me Your grace. Perfect it in my weakness.

In Jesus name,

Amen