1 John 2:1-2
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 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. [1]
This verse is a verse of comfort, because we are all sinners struggling in some way. The elder Apostle John is writing to those he refers to as his children, this is most likely referring to those he has mentored in the faith. His words are comforting twofold: 1. An encouragement not to sin
2. An advocate, if and when, we do sin.
John is investing in those he has tutored so that they won’t fall into sin. Scripture clearly teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), but once we come to know Christ, we are called to a life of sanctification, which is a drawing out to be different than the rest of the world, to be like Christ. We will never be sinless, but as we grow in our faith we are to sin less. John’s letter is an encouragement not to sin, but John didn’t stop with just encouragement not to sin, but also addressed when we fail and sin.
John also realized that at times we are going to fail and succumb to sin, and therefore, reminds believers that we have an advocate standing in our corner, before God, on our behalf. In other words, like a defense attorney, ready to give witness to God the Father on our behalf, because ‘He who knew no sin, was made to be sin, so that we could become the righteousness of God’ ( 2 Cor. 5:21). Christ stands in the gap promoting our lives before His Father as if our life was His life. May we all be encouraged not to sin, and take great comfort knowing that Christ has paid for all sin and stands as an advocate on our behalf.
[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (1 Jn 2:1–2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
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