Take Note Podcast

An Advocate

1 John 2:1-6

- It's important for believers in Christ to know
- That God gives us tools to avoid sin
- In the book where we find our text of the day
- Resources to help us "sin not" are front and center

- But we are also reminded of the great advocate we have in Christ
- Who made atonement for our sins
- For the sins of the whole world
- And who can bring us to completion in Him
- Capable of walking as He walked

- We'll focus on Jesus "An Advocate"
- As that is our theme
- From 1 John 2:1-6

- If we know Christ as Savior
- If we are one of His disciples
- Then we know our mandate is to walk as He walked
- God is conforming us to His image

- The capabilities and resources we have in Him
- Are a key part of our text today
- We learn about the things Jesus has done
- And is continuing to do on our behalf

- These are things for which we need reminders
- Because our walk of discipleship can be difficult

- Let's read all six verses first
- Then take a closer look at them individually…

1 John 2:1-6

1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 
2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 
3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 
4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 
5  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 
6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 

- We see John's purpose for writing this letter as we begin…

1 John 2:1

1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 

- This is a hopeful and confident teacher
- One that understands the victory available in Christ
- Who is not despairing of his own sinfulness
- Or concerned disproportionately about mine

- John is doing something that often seems unusual
- Believing whole-heartedly the truth that the New Testament teaches
- That we are fully equipped to confront the Christian life
- Indwelled by the Holy Spirit that provides moment-by-moment help

- But there is a realism to the confidence
- Understanding we remain in these sinful bodies
- That we live in a sinful world
- And that temptation, which comes from our own lusts, are all around

- That realism gives opportunity to remind us of another wonderful truth
- Just as exciting as having the power to overcome sin through Christ
- Is the news that the Overcomer Himself is our advocate
- One who pleads another's cause before a judge
- Not just declaring us righteous, which He does
- But being, Himself, our righteousness

- Meaning, He is not just a witness to our righteousness
- We have none of our own
- He is the giver of imputed righteousness
- Having been our replacement
- Taking upon Himself the punishment we deserved

- Now He declares us forgiven
- Justly granted mercy
- Based on what He has done

- As the text goes on…

1 John 2:2

2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

- If you're not familiar with the word propitiation
- It signifies "an expiation, a means whereby sin is covered and remitted"
- It is an atonement for sin
- He is the propitiation
- He is the atonement
- Our sin is blotted out because of Him
- Because of His sacrifice

- And no one is excluded from the scope of God's mercy in Him
- As the text says…

"not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world"

- This is the good news
- This is the news every man and woman on earth needs
- It is an ongoing ministry to anyone that believes
- And life-giving hope to anyone who does not yet believe

- It is made clear, here, that good works cannot save
- Nothing we do can make us right with God
- Jesus does that

- With that being said…

1 John 2:3

3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 

- There is evidence for knowing Him
- For having faith in Him
- For embracing His atoning sacrifice

- When we receive Him as Savior and Lord
- He becomes our model
- The One after which we follow
- We read of His life in scripture
- We hear His words repeated
- And we determine to live by them

- This is only logical and right
- And, while not easy, it is simple
- We are His disciples
- His followers

- And there is a harsh reality that should also be logical…

1 John 2:4

4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

- Believers are changed
- Once dead in trespasses and sins
- We are raised to life in Him
- Having the third person of the Godhead dwelling within us
- The Holy Spirit
- New creatures
- All things are changed

- God has changed what we want to do
- And changed our ability to do
- No longer slaves to sin
- We are free

- Knowing all this
- How can such a man reject God's commands?
- How can that new creature choose (habitually) to disobey?
- To go the opposite direction of the what they propose to follow?

- They do not, according to this passage
- Not habitually
- Not as a pattern of life
- Not without the chastening and discipline of God

- The disobedient people that say they know Him are lying
- The truth is not in them

- There is more…

1 John 2:5

5  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 

- There is a perfecting in the life of the person that keeps His word
- It is by keeping His word that we are demonstrating that we know Him
- Not gaining His favor
- Not earning our way to Him
- Demonstrating that we are indeed in Him

- We can show forth the love of God when we obey
- We can do so in a perfect, complete way
- And others will know that we know Him
- This reflection of His attributes is to glorify Him

- Because we can be sure of this…

1 John 2:6

6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 

- If we abide in Jesus
- It only makes sense that we would walk as He walked
- That we, because of our close fellowship with Him
- Would know His mind
- Would act in ways for which He would approve