TEXT: 1 John 2:1-2
READING: Romans 3:9-31
SUBJ: The matter of sin addressed in terms of both its struggle and the view of Christ as our Advocate and our atoning sacrifice who stands as testimony to reconciliation.
AIM: That we should be relentless in our struggle against sin but aware that Christ has dealt with our failures and thus we are comforted.
INTR: In the first chapter John set forth several tests as to the genuineness of claims that failed the test of consistency with truth and light. See 1:6, 1:8, 1:10.
1. Men have sought to avert the idea of questioning the reality of salvation based on evidence. They do not like being tested or questioned.
2. They are prone to seize on certain passages to confirm their salvation while failing to apply such things as a matter of faith.
3. In tenderness John seeks to both warn from sin and to encourage hearts to embrace the provision God had made in a loving way.
THESIS: The sense of being forgiven is one of the most precious things we can know. We are given the assurance of it and its application as we look to Christ who is our propitiation. He is the One who appeased the wrath of God that was directed against all.
I. My Little Children (v. 1a)
1. The diminutive address is that of a loving father addressing his children and depicts relationships that often exist among us such as is seen in pastoral care.
2. Directions are given in a non-threatening way. Rather, the constraints of the love of Christ are applied.
3. The understanding is that these were people to whom John had ministered to and known in the past and they were believing Jews.
4. There is a strange and trusting combination in the direction against sinning and the provision in the event it happens.
1) Some would look to these things and that of 1 John 1:9 as an escape route for presumption.
2) There is trust exhibited by John in that he knows that the truly regenerate would see this as comfort for the inevitable fact that sin occurs with us all.
II. Our Advocate (v. 1b)
1. The word here is the same as that used by Christ in describing the office and work of the Holy Spirit.
1) We are reminded that it describes “one who comes alongside.”
2) We are encouraged to see Christ in that way alongside the Father.
2. But we also see the picture in a legal sense as one who stands before a judge in our behalf. Often, we think of a lawyer pleading our case.
3. He is “Jesus Christ the Righteous.”
1) The manifestation of perfect righteousness who
2) Has presented Himself without sin after having rendered satisfaction for our sin.
4. Paul used a similar application in writing, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6). A mediator is one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace, or form a form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant. (Thayer).
III. Our Atonement (v. 2)
1. The word is used in various forms. Christ is the Atonement – that which removes the cause of God’s anger toward us.
2. God is propitiated – that is, satisfied with the sacrifice or reconciled. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19). This grace continues.
3. Compare: Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)
4. Paul used a related word that points to the means of reconciliation: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 3:25.
5. AND Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17.
6. The same is implied in the words of Peter: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)
7. “…Not for ours only…” – a difficult passage for many!
1) John seems to be looking beyond the Jews and including the means of salvation to the Gentiles.
2) The whole world here is Cosmos or mankind and is not referring to universal individuality else fallen angels and those who God hates would be included.
3) The saving of the “cosmos” will be in the person of believers.
