But If Anyone Does Sin, We Have An Advocate Who Pleads Our Case Before The Father
When The devil reminds you Of Your Sinful Past, Remind Him Of His Dark Future
1 JOHN 2:1-2
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
”I John 2:1-2 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/1jn.2.1-2.nkj
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John, was an old man at the time of this writing, spending almost all his life in ministry.
Many of his readers were his spiritual children, so he was not talking down to his readers by starting with “My little children,” rather he is showing them love, warmth, and affection.
Besides, his congregation were God’s children who John was called to shepherd-hence, “My little children.”
John’s statements regarding sin (1:8-10) was to bring to believers attention to the ever-present danger of sin, and to put them on guard against it.
The “if” before anyone sins, (and we all have, if you think you haven’t, you are calling God a liar (1 JOHN 1:10)), is not an encouragement to involve in sin, but rather a warning against it. And yet at the same time, for those who feel condemned, it is a statement of reassurance; they know they have sinned, and Satan, called the “accuser” in Revelation 12:10, is demanding the death penalty.
But we have the best attorney in the universe pleading your case. The judge Himself Jesus Christ, your Advocate; He Himself has already paid your penalty by taking your place on the cross, so you cannot be tried again.
He is the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation is the act of making well or appeasing of God’s wrath, thus incurring God’s favour or avoiding Devine retribution.
United with Christ, you are as safe as He is.
Propitiation brings about the removal of guilt through divine forgiveness. The Greek term for propitiation in the Greek Old Testament was used for the sacrificial mercy seat on which the high priest placed the blood of the Israelites’ sacrifice (EXODUS 25:17-22). This suggests that God’s righteous wrath had been somehow appeased.
God sent His only begotten Son and satisfied His own wrath with Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Our sins made it necessary for a Saviour to suffer the agonies of the crucifixion so we could be saved, and God, in His mercy, demonstrated His love and justice by providing just that. He sent His own begotten Son to satisfy the law; a perfect example of a wonderful loving dad taking responsibility for His children’s wrong doings.
It’s important to understand that we must repent of our sins, we cannot continue to live in sin. Simply to say sorry is not enough; we must be willing and make every effort to change; indeed we must die to sin, and be born again into the righteousness of Christ Jesus.
The Good News is, God is faithful to forgive, and He does not want you to live in guilt; it’s the devil who wants that. He wants to make you feel useless and condemned by reminding you of your sinful past.
But instead of feeling useless and guilty, put your past behind you, for it is dead, and rejoice in the Lord; accept your gift of salvation and move on.
Jesus death paid for your freedom by His spilled blood; that’s a very high price to pay, therefore, receive this gift with thanksgiving and be “free.”
The next time Satan reminds you of your sinful past, respond by reminding him of his dark future.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
