John’s First Epistle

1 Jno. 2:1-2

We Have An Advocate

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. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” – 1 Jno. 2:1-2, English Standard Version.

John is writing to Christians, designated here with the affectionate address, “my little children.” Here he states one of his purposes in writing: “so that you may not sin.”

Stop and think about this statement. Christ imparted the Holy Spirit to certain men (Jno. 16:13). These men were guided to write truth. One purpose was (and is), that this truth (in the New Testament) might be embraced and applied to lead people away from sin.

As we read the Bible and absorb the message of Christ in the New Testament, our sincere application of that message preserves us from sin. So John wrote with this in mind: “…that you may not sin.”

Almost immediately, we respond: But I’m not perfect. What if I do sin?

Keep reading: “…if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” This divine advocate who is with the Father in heaven is not like a criminal defense attorney who is paid to get the best possible deal for his guilty client. (What defense attorney will die for the client?)

Jesus gave His life “the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” This is no ordinary lawyer.

When I sin, I can take my sins, repent of them and know that I am forgiven. Remember from chapter one? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Yes, we have an Advocate.

My aim should be to not sin. But if I do, I have an Advocate.