I John 2

Jesus Christ is our advocateverses 1-2

 My little children – these things write I to you

            that you sin not

AND IF any man sin – we have an ADVOCATE with the Father

            Jesus Christ the righteous

and HE is the propitiation for our sins

                                    and not for ours only

BUT also for the sins of the whole world

Obedience necessary in believersverses 3-11

And hereby we do know that we know HIM

IF we keep HIS commandments

He that says – I know HIM – and keeps not HIS commandments

is a LIAR – and the truth is not in him

BUT whoso keeps his word

in him verily is the love of God perfected

hereby know we that we are in HIM

He that says he abides in HIM ought himself also so to walk

even as HE walked

Brethren – I write no new commandment to you

but an old commandment which you had from the beginning

The old commandment is the word which you have heard

from the beginning

AGAIN – a new commandment I write to you

            which thing is true in HIM and in you

                        BECAUSE the darkness is past

                                    and the true LIGHT now shines

He that says he is in the LIGHT – and hates his brother

is in darkness even until now

He that loves his brother abides in the LIGHT

            and there is none occasion of stumbling in him

BUT he that hates his brother is in darkness

and walks in darkness – and knows not whither he goes

                        BECAUSE that darkness has blinded his eyes

Three stages in Christian growthverses 12-14

 I write unto you – little children

BECAUSE your sins are forgiven you

for HIS name’s sake

I write to you – fathers

BECAUSE you have known HIM

that is from the beginning

I write to you – young men

BECAUSE you have overcome the wicked one

I write to you – little children

BECAUSE you have known the Father

I have written to you – fathers

BECAUSE you have known HIM

that is from the beginning

I have written to you – young men – BECAUSE you are strong

and the word of God abides in you

and you have overcome the wicked one

Temptation is realverses 15-17

 Love not the world – neither the things that are in the world

IF any man love the world

the love of the Father is not in him

FOR all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh

and the lust of the eyes – and the pride of life

is not of the Father – BUT is of the world

AND the world passes away and the lust thereof

BUT he that does the will of God abides for ever

Antichrist and his teachingsverses 18-23

 Little children – it is the last time

            and as you have heard that antichrist shall come

                        even now are there many antichrists

                                    whereby we know that it is the last time

They went out from us – BUT they were not of us

            for if they had been of us

                        they would no doubt have continued with us

            but they went out – that they might be made manifest

                        that they were not all of us

BUT you have an UNCTION from the Holy One

            and you know all things

I have not written to you because you know not the truth

            BUT because you know it – and that no lie is of the truth

Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ?

            He is antichrist – that denies the Father and the Son

Whosoever denies the Son – the same has not the Father

            BUT he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also

Anointed of the LORD are to abide in HIMverses 24-27

 Let that therefore abide in you

            which you have heard from the beginning

IF that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you

            you also shall continue in the Son – and in the Father

And this is the promise that HE has promised us – even eternal life

            these things have I written to you concerning them that seduce you

BUT the ANOINTING which you have received of HIM abides in you

            and you need not that any man teach you

                        but as the same ANOINTING teaches you of all things

                                    and is truth – and is no lie

                                                and even as it has taught you

                                                            you shall abide in HIM

Christ is coming againverses 28-29

 And now – little children – abide in HIM – that – when HE shall appear

we may have confidence

and not be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming

IF you know that HE is righteous

you know that every one that does righteousness is born of HIM

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 2       And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (2434 “propitiation” [hilasmos] means atonement, expiator, to appease, conciliate to one’s self, be gracious or be merciful)

DEVOTION:  When God created man he was without sin in his life. Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden for a while. God had given them instructions regarding tending to the Garden. HE had given them instructions regarding what they could eat. HE also gave instructions that they were not to eat of the tree in the midst of the Garden. It was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Satan came in the form of a snake and tempted Eve to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil with false promises. He said it would give them the same knowledge as God had.

Eve saw that the tree was “good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”[Genesis 3: 6]

Once they had eaten of the fruit they realized that they had no clothes on. They heard God walking in the garden and dressed themselves in leaves. God asked them some questions. They blamed each other and the Satan. God, however, knew what had happened and judged them for their actions. The judgment HE gave to leave the Garden and to need a sacrifice for their sin. HE sacrificed the first animal to give them animal skins to wear.

A sin nature entered into man at this time. Man had to offer sacrifices for his sin before God starting at this point. Every man was born with a sin nature. Every man, woman and child was in need of a sacrifice that God would accept for their sin.

The Old Testament explains God plan for HIS chosen people to stay in fellowship with HIM. The plan was a priesthood and sacrifice that looked forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

 Why was Christ the ultimate sacrifice? Each of the animal sacrifices had to be animals without defect. This was to signify that the only sacrifice that God could accept what something without defect. If there was a human being before Christ that was without defect then they could have been offered as an offering to God. However, only Christ was sinless. Only Christ was born of a virgin and of the moving of the Holy Spirit on Mary. HE was born without a sin nature. HE had a human nature but not a sin nature.

Because Christ didn’t have a sin nature, HE could be sacrificed on the cross for our sins. HIS blood saved those who are followers of God. Before the foundation of the world, God knew which individuals would follow HIM and the only way they could follow HIM was through Christ. There is NO OTHER WAY to get to heaven.

Christ was the appeasing sacrifice for our sins. HE was our substitute. HE was our Savior. HE had to shed HIS blood for us to get to heaven. Most of the world rejects HIM. They want nothing to do with HIM. Only a few are genuine followers of Christ.

Our sin gives God reason to send us to the lake of fire for eternity. God offers one escape. That escape is to become a follower of Christ. Christ is the only way to heaven. There is no second chance after death. This life is the only place we can become a follower of Christ. Christ is our expiator. Christ died for our sins. Christ is the appeasing sacrifice for our sins. HE died that we might have life. It is hard to understand that, in Christ’s death, the Father into heaven can accept us.

One other fact that this verse brings out is that Christ’s death covered the sins of the “whole world.” Everyone has an opportunity to become a follower of Christ. There is no double predestination. However, God knew before the foundation of the world who would become a follower. Our responsibility is to share the truth of the Word of God with all those in our world. Each one receiving this message is part of my world. Now it is time to share. Only God knows who is written in the Book of Life. We have the responsibility to pray for and share with those in our world.

CHALLENGE: Don’t believe anyone who says that there is more than one way to get to heaven. The Bible says there is ONLY ONE WAY.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 13      I write to you, fathers, because you have known HIM that is from the beginning. I write to you young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. (3528 “overcome” [nikao] means prevail, conquer, to win a victory over, to be victorious over, win the verdict, triumph, or superiority)

DEVOTION:  I have based these devotionals on these three steps in the growth of a believer. There are those who are mature believers that are called “fathers” by John. There are those who are called “young men” who have grown to the point of knowing what is expected. Finally, there are those who are called “little children” who understand the basics of the Christian faith but realize that they need to move on to the next stage as soon as possible.

Every believer needs to have a desire to please God by growing in grace and knowledge of the truth of the Word of God, so that, we can understand who Jesus Christ really was and act accordingly.

Jesus taught HIS disciples what it meant to be a genuine follower of God the Father. HE gave them an example to follow. We have the same example to follow. We will never reach sinless perfection here on this earth but we can become mature believers who sin less.

It is important that we follow the example of Jesus Christ but also look into the lives of HIS disciples who tried to follow in HIS footsteps. They had their ups and downs. They were led by the Holy Spirit into special ministries. They were led to individuals who needed to know the LORD. They followed the leading of the Holy Spirit on a regular basis. We need to do the same.

God knows what stage we are at in our Christian growth and doesn’t expect more than we are capable of from us. HE wants to stretch us toward what John calls the stage of “fathers.”

Some people who think they have arrived at this stage are fooling themselves because of pride. Their actions show that they are not there yet even if they think they are there. If we think we are there we need to get on our knees before the LORD and let HIM speak to us regarding where we are in our journey. Remember the stages of growth: babies, little children, young men, and fathers. There is another word that describes believers “carnal.”

CHALLENGE: Avoid this description of your stage in the LORD!!

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: 16      For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (212 “pride” [alazoneia] means arrogance, boastfulness, a self-exalting, self-absorbed conceit of one’s own superiority, false arrogance, boastful haughtiness, or pretension)

DEVOTION:  When we first meet Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden we find them doing what the LORD expects of them. They are meeting with HIM every day. HE is walking in the Garden with them.

HE has given the responsibilities in the Garden. HE has given them only one restriction in the Garden. They are not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

We are not sure of the time period between their creation and their fall. It seems like a short time but we are not sure. We know that a fallen angel named Satan or the devil entered a serpent to tempt Eve to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree.

Genesis records that she saw that the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes and that desired to make one wise in chapter three verse six. She was tempted in three ways.

These three ways are expressed in this book of I John by the apostle. They are the same three ways that Eve was tempted. If we read of the temptations of Christ we find that HE was tempted in the same three ways by the same enemy, Satan or the devil.

Now John is warning all believers to watch out for the enemy who will tempt us in the same three ways that he tempted Eve and Jesus. His methods have not changed. His words have changed to fit into our present age.

We have to watch out for these temptations. God has given us the power through HIS Son to overcome every temptation. We are promised victory.

However, HE knows that we will yield to temptations on occasions. It would be great if I could say that we will never yield to temptation but the first chapter of this book says that if we claim that we don’t sin we make God a liar.

Once we sin we are responsible to confess our sin and expect HIM to forgive. From that point on we need to watch out for the same temptation coming our way by the enemy. We can with the help of the Holy Spirit overcome our besetting sin most of the time. Ask for help each day. The war is won by Christ.

CHALLENGE:  Our battles have to be turned over to HIM as soon as we see the enemy coming. He is very sneaky!!!!

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

:28       And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (152 “ashamed” [aischune] means 1 the confusion of one who is ashamed of anything, sense of shame. 2 ignominy, disgrace, dishonor. 3 a thing to be ashamed of.  [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])

DEVOTION:  How interesting it is that we have lost our ability to feel ashamed in modern culture!  When you look at people who have obviously done what is wrong, there seems to be no sense of shame about what they have done or whom they have harmed.  This is in contrast to many other cultures of the world (especially Asian cultures), where people feel a strong sense of shame when they have lost the honor of those around them.

Many to whom John was writing also had the sense of shame by being disowned or rejected by family and friends because of their faith in Jesus Christ.  They had lost all the support structures around them, and now depended on the church as their new family to support them through the crises and difficulties of life.  One of the greatest concepts in the New Testament is that God says He will not be ashamed of those who leave everything in order to come follow Him.

Yet we live in recognition that we will be judged for our works at the end of our lives.  For these believers, it was important to know that they needed to finish well in their walk with God, going on even to martyrdom if necessary.  They needed to feel a sense of shame only about the right things and not about the wrong things.  God placed in every man a conscience to point to his guilt when he does what is wrong.  That is why we need to confess our sins right away when we are convicted of sin by God.

Yet there are some who persist in doing what they know is wrong.  They continue in what they are doing because they are more concerned about their own comfort or pleasure.  God’s desire is for them to see that there is a judgment of our actions coming and for them to stop what they are doing and start following Him with reckless abandon!

CHALLENGE:  The one shame that we can hold onto is because of an unconfessed sin.  Live like Jesus is coming back today, and keep short accounts with God.  Then when He returns or takes you home, you can stand before Him and praise Him for your great salvation! (MW)

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: 29      If you know that HE is righteous, you know that everyone that does righteousness is born of HIM. (1343 “righteousness” [dikaiosune] means integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness in thinking feeling and acting, be put right with, practices required, justification or what is right.)

DEVOTION:  First we must believe something about the God we serve. We must believe that whatever HE does is right. HE never does anything wrong. HE is perfect in HIS actions toward the world and in our life. If we ever think that HE is not doing what is right in our life we are making HIM a God that is unrighteous.

Now once we understand the concept that God never does anything wrong we can understand what HE expects of us. We are to try with the help of the Holy Spirit to live a life that is pleasing to HIM.

It is not easy to do that but that is what HE is expecting of us because of the strength HE gives us each day to face every temptation HE allows in our life. HE never sends more than we can take. HE might take us to our limit but HE never goes over that amount of testing.

HE gives us more strength each day to live a life that is full of integrity. HE wants individuals to be able to look at us and see HIM. We are HIS offspring through Jesus Christ. We have been born from above. We have been born again into a new relationship.

We are the children of our parents but once we make a commitment to Christ we are children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Our human parents brought us into the world and HE is going to take us to another world when we die. We were born in sin but given correctness in our thinking, feelings and actions through Jesus Christ.

We start our new life in Christ as “babes.” We are to end our lives as “fathers.”  There are many stages in between but the LORD gives us strength to mature in our relationship with HIM.

CHALLENGE: Our God is always doing what is correct. HE never does anything that is not correct. We are to follow HIS example. Remember HE is faithful and just to forgive when we fail.

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Writeverses 1, 7, 8, 12, 13, 21, 26

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Writeverses 1, 7, 8, 12, 13, 21, 26

Commandmentsverses 3, 4, 7, 8

Word of Godverse 14

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

Fatherverses 1, 13, 15, 16, 22-24

Godverses 5, 14, 17

Love of Godverse 5

Word of Godverse 14

Love of the Fatherverse 15

Will of Godverse 17

Promiseverse 25

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

Advocateverse 1

Jesusverses 1, 22

Christverses 1, 22

Jesus Christ the righteousverses 1, 29

Propitiationverse 2

Walk as HE walkedverse 6

Darkness is pastverse 8

Lightverse 8

HIS name’s sakeverse 12

Sonverses 22-24

Promiseverse 25

HIS comingverse 28

Righteousverse 28

Gives birth to believersverse 29

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Holy Oneverse 20

Unction from the Holy Oneverse 20

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Wicked one [Satan]verses 13, 14

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Sins of the whole worldverse 2

Worldverses 15-17

World passes awayverse 17

Antichristverse 18

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Sinverses 1, 2, 12

Liarverses 4, 21, 22, 27

Not keep HIS commandmentsverse 4

Truth is not in himverse 4

Darknessverses 8, 9, 11

Hates his brotherverses 9, 11

Stumblingverse 10

Walks in darknessverse 11

Blindedverse 11

Love of the worldverse 15

Love not things in the worldverse 15

Lust of the fleshverse 16

Lust of the eyesverse 16

Pride of lifeverse 16

Lust of the worldverse 17

Antichristverses 18, 22

Many antichrists

went out from church

not of believersverses 18, 19

Went out of believersverse 19

Deny Jesus is the Christverse 22

Denies Father and Sonverses 22, 23

Denies the Sonverse 23

Seduceverse 26

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Sin notverse 1

Advocateverse 1

Keep HIS commandmentsverse 3

Truthverses 4, 21, 27

Keep HIS wordverse 5

Love of God perfectedverse 5

Abideverses 6, 10, 24, 27, 28

Walk verse 6

New Commandmentverse 8

Darkness is pastverse 8

True light shinesverse 8

In the lightverse 9

Love his brotherverse 9

Abides in the lightverse 10

None occasion of stumblingverse 10

Forgivenverse 12

Overcome the wicked oneverses 13, 14

Known the Fatherverse 13

Strongverse 14

Word of God abided in verse 14

Love not the worldverse 15

Love of the Fatherverse 15

Do will of Godverse 17

Continue with believersverse 19

Unctionverse 20

Know all thingsverse 20

Know the truthverse 21

No lie in truthverse 21

Heard from the beginningverse 24

Acknowledges the Sonverse 24

Continue in the Son and Fatherverse 24

Promiseverse 25

Anointingverse 27

Teachverse 27

Truthverse 27

Abide in HIMverse 27

Confidenceverse 28

Righteousnessverse 29

Born of HIMverse 29

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Church (New Testament people of God)

Little children (young believers)verses 1, 12, 13,18, 28

Brethrenverse 7

Brotherverses 9, 10

Fathersverses 13, 14

Known Christ

Known HIM from the beginning

Young menverse 13, 14

Overcome the wicked one (2x)

Strong

Word of God abides in

Little childrenverses 13, 18, 28

Known the Father

Last time

Many antichrist coming

Abide in HIM

Confidence

Not be ashamed

Heard from the beginningverse 24

Last Things (Future Events)

World passes awayverse 17

Abide foreververse 17

Last timeverse 18

Eternal lifeverse 25

HE shall appearverse 28

HIS comingverse 28

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QUOTES regarding passage

2:1 As John resumes his discourse on sin and forgiveness, we see a striking change of mood. Whereas earlier he was focusing on his opponents and their false teaching, now he specifically speaks about these things as they affect his followers. The note of endearment—“my dear children”—in no way minimizes the seriousness of the discussion. Lest any conclude from his previous statements that sin must be considered inevitable in the life of the believer and not a matter of urgent concern since forgiveness is present by confession and the blood of Christ, John hastens to add, “I write this to you so that you will not sin.” There is no question at all in his mind that sin and obedience to God are irreconcilable. Sin is the enemy. It removes the believer from the light. It prevents fellowship with God and it destroys fellowship with the children of light. The principle of sin as the power of darkness must be excluded from the believer’s life, and individual acts of sin must be resisted. Where failure occurs, the sin must be confessed before the body and the Lord and then abandoned. And always the intent of the believer remains the same—not to commit sin!

If any of his children should fail and commit sin, the author is anxious that they neither deceive themselves about it nor lie about their action nor give up walking in the light. The answer to lapsing into sin is not self-deceit but the forgiveness of God made available through Jesus Christ. He has been designated the believer’s advocate, the counsel who speaks in our defense. His worthiness to perform this function rests on the fact that even as God is righteous (1:9), so Jesus Christ also merits the title “The Righteous One. (Barker, G. W. (1981). 1 John. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 313). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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My little children (τεκνια μου [teknia mou]). Tender tone with this diminutive of τεκνον [teknon] (child), again in 2:12; 3:18, but παιδια [paidia] in 2:14. John is now an old man and regards his readers as his little children. That attitude is illustrated in the story of his visit to the robber to win him to Christ. That ye may not sin (ἱνα μη ἁμαρτητε [hina mē hamartēte]). Purpose (negative) clause with ἱνα μη [hina mē] and the second aorist (ingressive, commit sin) active subjunctive of ἁμαρτανω [hamartanō], to sin. John has no patience with professional perfectionists (1:8–10), but he has still less with loose-livers like some of the Gnostics who went to all sorts of excesses without shame. If any man sin (ἐαν τις ἁμαρτῃ [ean tis hamartēi]). Third-class condition with ἐαν [ean] and second aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive again, “if one commit sin.” We have (ἐχομεν [echomen]). Present active indicative of ἐχω [echō] in the apodosis, a present reality like ἐχομεν [echomen] in 2 Cor. 5:1. An advocate (παρακλητον [paraklēton]). See on John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7 for this word, nowhere else in the N. T. The Holy Spirit is God’s Advocate on earth with men, while Christ is man’s Advocate with the Father (the idea, but not the word, in Rom. 8:31–39; Heb. 7:25). As δικαιος [dikaios] (righteous) Jesus is qualified to plead our case and to enter the Father’s presence (Heb. 2:18). (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (1 Jn 2:1). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)

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2:1. Some of John’s readers might have thought his insistence on the sinfulness of Christians somehow would discourage holiness. The opposite was John’s intention as he affirmed: My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. He addressed them affectionately as an apostle with a fatherly concern (The Gr. word for “children” [“dear” is not in the Gr.] is teknia [lit., “little born ones”], used seven times by John in this epistle [vv. 1, 12, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21] and once in his Gospel [John 13:33]. A similar word tekna [“born ones”] occurs in John 1:12; 11:52; 1 John 3:2, 10 [twice]; 5:2; 2 John 1, 4, 13; and 3 John 4. On the other hand paidia [“children”] occurs only twice in 1 John [2:13, 18].)

The statements in 1:8, 10 about believers’ sinful tendencies do not encourage sin; they actually put perceptive Christians on guard against it. If a believer tries to make the claims denounced in 1:8 and 10, then he is most likely to fail to recognize and reject sin. But sin is nevertheless a reality, however much John wished his readers would not commit it. Accordingly he assured them, But if anybody does sin, we have One who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. John did not want his readers to sin, but he knew that none of them was perfect and that all would need the help available from their Advocate.

The words “One who speaks … in our defense” translate a single term (paraklēton). Its essential meaning is captured by the KJV‘s familiar “Advocate.” John is the only New Testament writer to use it of the Holy Spirit (four times in his Gospel: John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). In these four verses the NIV renders it “Counselor” each time (cf. kjv‘s “Comforter”). The thought here in 1 John 2:1 is of a defense attorney who takes up the case of his client before a tribunal. The way in which the advocacy of the Lord Jesus works for His sinning people is admirably illustrated in His prayer for Peter (Luke 22:31–32). In anticipation of Peter’s approaching denial, Jesus asked the Father to prevent Peter’s faith from collapsing. He also had in mind Peter’s future helpfulness to his Christian brethren. There is no reason to suppose that Christ must ask God to keep a Christian from going to hell as a result of his sin. Eternal life is fully guaranteed to those who have trusted Jesus for it (John 3:16; 5:24; etc.). But the consequences of a believer’s failure, his restoration, and future usefulness are all urgent matters which Jesus takes up with God when sin occurs. His own personal righteousness (He is “the Righteous One”; cf. 1 John 1:9, God is “just”) is what uniquely suits Christ for His role as a Christian’s Advocate after he sins. (Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 886–887). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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That we may not sin (2:1). John faces the problem of sin squarely (cf. 1 John 3:4–9, for example) and announces the only answer to this enigma—the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ not only died for us to carry the penalty of our sins, but rose from the dead in order to intercede for us at the throne of God: “If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

Christ is our Representative. He defends us at the Father’s throne. Satan may stand there as the accuser of the brethren (Zech. 3; Rev. 12:10), but Christ stands there as our Advocate—He pleads on our behalf! Continuing forgiveness, in response to His intercession, is God’s answer to our sinfulness.

“I would like to become a Christian,” an interested woman said to a visiting pastor, “but I’m afraid I can’t hold out. I’m sure to sin again!”

Turning to 1 John 1, the pastor said, “No doubt you will sin again, because God says, ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us’ (1 John 1:8). But if you do sin, God will forgive you if you will confess your sin to Him. But it isn’t necessary for Christians to sin. As we walk in fellowship with God and in obedience to His Word, He gives us ability to resist and to have victory over temptation.”

Then the pastor remembered that the woman had gone through surgery some months before.

“When you had your surgery,” he asked, “was there a possibility of complications or problems afterward?”

“Oh, yes,” she replied, “But whenever I had a problem, I went to see the doctor and he took care of it.”

Then the truth hit her! “I see it!” she exclaimed. “Christ is always available to keep me out of sin or to forgive my sin!”

The life that is real is a life of victory. In this letter, John tells us how to draw on our divine resources to experience victory over temptation and sin. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 477). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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2:1 so that you may not sin. Although a Christian must continually acknowledge and confess sin (1:9), he is not powerless against it. Fulfilling the duty of confession does not give license to sin. Sin can and should be conquered through the power of the Holy Spirit (see Ro 6:12–14; 8:12, 13; 1Co 15:34; Tit 2:11, 12; 1Pe 1:13–16). Advocate. John 16:7 translates this word as “Helper” (lit. “one called alongside”). Perhaps a modern concept of the term would be a defense attorney. Although Satan prosecutes believers night and day before the Father due to sin (Rev 12:10), Christ’s High-Priestly ministry guarantees not only sympathy but also acquittal (Heb 4:14–16). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Jn 2:1). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

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Ver. 1. My little children, &c.] The apostle may address the saints under this character, on account of their regeneration by the spirit and grace of God, in which they were as new-born babes; and on account of his being the instrument of their conversion, and so was their spiritual father, and therefore calls them his own children; and he might the rather use such a way of speaking, because of his advanced age, being now in his old age, and John the elder in age as well as in office; as well as to shew his paternal affection for them, and care of them, and that what he had wrote, or should write, was not from any disrespect, but from pure love to them; and it might serve to put them in mind of their weakness in faith, in knowledge, and spiritual strength, that they might not entertain high notions of themselves, as if they were perfect and without infirmities; and it is easy to observe, that this is one of Christ’s expressions, John 13:33 from whose lips the apostle took it, whose words and phrases he greatly delighted in, as he seems to do in this, by his frequent use of it; see ver. 18, 28 and 3:7, 18 and 4:4 and 5:21. These things write I unto you; concerning the purity and holiness of God, who is light itself; concerning fellowship with him, which no one that lives in sin can have; concerning pardon and cleansing from sin by the blood of Christ, and concerning sin being in them, and they not without it. The Ethiopic version reads, we write, as in ch. 1:4 that ye sin not; not that he thought they could be entirely without it, either without the being of it, or the commission of it, in thought, word, or deed, for this would be to suppose that which is contrary to his own words, in ch. 1:8, 10 but he suggests that the end of his writing on these subjects was, that they might not live in sin, and indulge themselves in a vicious course of living, give up themselves to it, and walk in it, and work it with all greediness: and nothing could be more suitably adapted to such an end than the consideration of the holiness of God, who calls by his grace; and of the necessity of light and grace and holiness in men to communion with him; and of the pardoning grace of God and cleansing blood of Christ, which, when savingly applied, sets men against sin, and makes them zealous of good works; and of the in-dwelling of sin in the saints, which puts them upon their guard against it: and if any man sin; as every man does, even every one that is in the light, and walks in it, and has fellowship with God; every one that believes in Christ, and is justified through his righteousness, and pardoned by his blood; every one of the little children; for the apostle is not speaking of mankind in general who sin, for Christ is not an advocate for all that sin, but of these in particular; hence the Arabic version renders it, if any of you sin; and this, with the following, he says not to encourage in sin, but to comfort under a sense of it: we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous; Christ is an advocate, not for just or righteous persons, for as he came not to call these to repentance, nor to die for them, so such have no need of an advocate, nor is he one for them; but as he came to call sinners, and to save them, and died for them, the just for the unjust, so he is an advocate, and makes intercession for transgressors; and not for all men, though they have all sinned; not for the world, or those so called in distinction from the persons given him by his father, for these he prays not; but for all the elect, and whatsoever charges are brought against them he answers to them, and for them; and for all that believe in him, be they weak or strong, even for the apostles as well as others; for they were not without sin, were men of like passions as others, and carried about with them a body of sin, and had their daily infirmities, and so needed an advocate as others; and hence John says, we have an advocate, &c. but then Christ is not an advocate for sin, though for sinners; he does not vindicate the commission of sin, or plead for the performance of it; he is no patron of iniquity; nor does he deny that his clients have sinned, or affirm that their actions are not sins; he allows in court all their sins, with all their aggravated circumstances; nor does he go about to excuse or extenuate them; but he is an advocate for the non-imputation of them, and for the application of pardon to them: he pleads in their favour, that these sins have been laid upon him, and he has bore them; that his blood has been shed for the remission of them, and that he has made full satisfaction for them; and therefore in justice they ought not to be laid to their charge; but that the forgiveness of them should be applied unto them, for the relief and comfort of their burdened and distressed consciences: and for this he is an advocate for his poor sinning people with the father; who being the first Person, and the Son the advocate, and the Spirit sustaining a like character, is only mentioned; and he being God against whom sin is committed, and to whom the satisfaction is made; and the rather, as he is the father of Christ, and of those for whom he is an advocate; seeing it may be concluded that his pleadings will be with success, since he is not only related to him, and has an interest in him himself, but the persons also, whose patron he is, are related to him, and have a share in his paternal affection and care: moreover, this phrase, as it expresses the distinct personality of Christ from the father, so his being with him in heaven at his right hand, and nearness to him; where he discharges this office of his, partly by appearing in person for his people in the presence of God; and partly by carrying in and presenting their confessions of sin, and their prayers for the fresh discoveries and applications of pardoning grace, which he offers up to his father with the sweet incense of his mediation; and chiefly by pleading the virtue of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, which are carried within the vail, and are always in sight, and call aloud for peace and pardon; as also by answering and removing the charges and accusations of the court-adversary, the accuser of the brethren, the devil; as well as by the declarations of his will, demanding in point of justice, in consideration of his sufferings and death, that such and such blessings be bestowed upon his people, as pardon, righteousness, grace, and supplies of grace, and at last glory; and by applying these benefits to their souls as a comforter, which the word here used also signifies, and is so rendered, John 14:16, 26 and 15:26 and 16:7 and by the Arabic version here. Now the saints have but one advocate, and that is enough for them; the apostle does not say we have advocates, but an advocate; not angels, nor saints departed, but Jesus Christ only, who is the one Mediator between God and man: and he is a continual one, he ever lives to make intercession; his blood is always speaking, and he is always pleading; and therefore ’tis said we have, not we have had, or we shall have an advocate: and he is a prevalent one, he is always heard, he thoroughly pleads the cause he undertakes, and ever carries it; which is owing to the dignity of his person, his interest with his father, and the virtue and value of his sacrifice: and he is every way fit for such a work, for he is righteous; not only in his natures, both divine and human, but in his office, as Mediator, which he faithfully and righteously performs; he is a very proper person to plead for guilty persons, which he could not do if he himself was guilty; but he is so holy and righteous that nothing can be objected to him by God; and it need not be doubted by men that he will act the faithful part to them, and righteously serve them and their cause; and it is moreover his righteousness which he has wrought out, and is imputed to them, that carries the cause for them; and therefore this character of Christ it fitly added, as is also the following. The Jews have adopted the word in the text into their language, but have applied it to a different purpose, to alms-deeds, repentance, and good works. Much more agreeably Philo the Jew^k speaks of the son of perfect virtue, παρακλητω, as an advocate for the forgiveness of sins, and for a supply of everlasting good things. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 3, pp. 621–622). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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FROM MY READING: 

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

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Retweeted Alistair Begg (@AlistairBegg): Contentment is found in reaching the place that says, ‘Even when I cannot understand, still I can trust God.

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Some of the most important scientific discoveries in history are the result of what’s called “natural experiments,” in which researchers choose neither the conditions nor the participants, and in which all factors are outside the researcher’s control. In other words, researchers studying stuff that happens.

One of the most famous natural experiments involved two wells during a London cholera pandemic in 1854. Researcher John Snow who, after observing that people who drank from one well got cholera while those who drank from the other didn’t, correctly concluded cholera came from something in the water, not in the air. Because of that discovery, cholera was eventually eliminated from Britain.

Today, nearly two centuries later, the United States and much of the West is in the midst of another natural experiment. The pathogen being researched is not a virus, but the bad ideas of the sexual revolution, ideas that have left many victims and caused great suffering. As Katy Faust and Stacy Manning of Them Before Us recently described over at The Federalist, “Our entire population has unwittingly participated in the greatest abstinence object lesson of all time.”

For more than a month now, Americans have “been abstaining from physical contact, leaving our homes, dining out, and attending school because these activities have been deemed risky in the COVID-19 era.” While our participation in this grand experiment has been, shall we say, “encouraged” by government deployed drones, skate parks filled with dirt, and policies that encourages Americans to snitch on each other by texting Bill de Blasio, the majority of Americans complied in order to flatten the curve.

Like John Snow before them, Faust and Manning have looked at the evidence of this natural experiment and have rightly concluded that asking people to abstain from harmful activities can work.  Of course, people must recognize the potential for harm in the first place and, when it comes to sex, our culture has consistently turned a blind eye.

That’s why, as governments were taking down basketball hoops to prevent illicit gatherings and banning fishing if your boat had a motor, the state of Oregon was dispensing advice for how to have “safe sex” during the pandemic.

The explicit “advice” told people, quote, “you are your safest sexual partner,” and urged them to practice “selective kissing,” and, well, there’s more, but this is a family-friendly program.

Lost in all of Oregon’s recommended “safety” advice is any mention of the health risks associated with sexual activity among young people. This omission is nothing less than negligence given the fact that, as Faust and Manning point out, 2016 had the “highest number ever of STIs in the United States,” according to the Center for Disease Control, which were “partially fueled by apps that facilitate high-risk behaviors.”

For example, the Human Papillomavirus, which is “responsible for 9 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer,” may potentially “infect up to 75 percent of the population.” It’s been called “a hidden epidemic.”

Despite these alarming numbers, it’s likely that when our kids return to school, they’ll again be encouraged to engage in risky sexual behavior and the risks associated with this public health crisis will be downplayed.

Despite results as clear as those about cholera in 1854, sexual freedom enjoys a privileged place in our culture. We have all the information we need from our experiment. However, unlike John Snow, who removed the handle from the well that caused cholera in order to keep people from drinking that water, we are basically handing out buckets to kids, encouraging them to drink even more deeply from what will make them sick. Once again, kids are the victims of the sexual revolution.

No one is doing a better job right now championing the rights of children in the face of the sexual revolution and its lies than Katy Faust, who is also one of many outstanding speakers at our upcoming virtual event, “Truth. Love. Together.” She will join Os Guinness, Lee Strobel, Joni Eareckson Tada, Andy Crouch, Uju Ekeocha, Max Maclean and many others to explore how we can become people committed to love and truth at the same time. The entire online event is absolutely free, on demand, with live sessions as well.

All you have to do is come to WilberforceWeekend.org to register.

                     (BreakPoiint)

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I think that is doable if things fall in the right place,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pfizer announced Tuesday it has begun human trials on a vaccine against the coronavirus. It is working with German pharmaceutical company BioNTech.

“With our unique and robust clinical study program underway, starting in Europe and now the U.S., we look forward to advancing quickly and collaboratively with our partners at BioNTech and regulatory authorities to bring a safe and efficacious vaccine to the patients who need it most,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. “The short, less than four-month time frame in which we’ve been able to move from preclinical studies to human testing, is extraordinary.”

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Joshua 23

Nearing his death, Joshua charges the Israelites to be faithful to the Lord.

INSIGHT

After a brilliant career as Israel’s leader, Joshua bids them farewell. He urges them not to allow themselves to be corrupted by the gods or people of the nations around them. Then Joshua encourages them that if they are faithful, “all the good things” of the Lord will come upon them (23:15); if they are not faithful, “the Lord will bring upon you all harmful things, until He has destroyed you from this good land” (23:15).

                    (QuietWalk)

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WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND

All things work together for good to them that love God. Romans 8:28
Our Lord’s message to us is that we must trust Him absolutely and explicitly, even when we cannot understand. That, in effect, as we have seen, is what He was saying to John in Matthew 11:2-6. “I am doing the things you have heard reported of Me. But then you say, ‘Why aren’t You doing other things?’ But if you really believe that I am the Messiah, the Son of God, cannot you leave it to Me? Even about this question of your being in prison and what your friends are saying about My not being concerned about you—John, if you know that I am who I am, cannot you trust Me there in prison itself?”
Faith means that I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ absolutely. Ah, we all have to learn this lesson. Even Paul had to pass this way. He had a thorn in the flesh, and he could not understand it. It seemed all wrong to him. He wanted to preach the gospel, but the thorn was a hindrance to him. Three times he besought the Lord to remove it, but this was the answer he got: “My grace is sufficient for thee.” “I am not taking out the thorn,” said the Lord in effect, “but I will do something infinitely bigger. I will bless you with the thorn in your side. I assure you that even with the thorn I can do wonders through you.”
“Quite right,” says Paul, “and I see that when I am weak, then I am strong, and I care about nothing except that I be right with You.” The place that God would have us come to is the one in which we can say, “All things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). “All things”—it doesn’t matter what. “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).
A Thought to Ponder: Faith means that I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ absolutely.
         (From The Heart of the Gospel, pp. 51-52, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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When He Shall Appear
“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28)
There are many glorious promises associated with the great promise that Christ Himself shall once again appear in person here on planet Earth. For example, Paul says: “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).
Similarly, the apostle Peter promises: “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4). The writer of Hebrews first reminds us of His former appearance on Earth: “But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26). Then the promise is: “Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (v. 28).
Perhaps the most wonderful promise associated with His second appearing is given through the apostle John: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).
Therefore, when He shall appear, we shall appear with Him in glory; we shall receive an unfading crown of glory; we shall be like Him, and without sin unto salvation. These promises even now constitute an incentive for each believer to purify himself even as He is pure.
But there is also the sobering warning in our text associated with the soon-coming time when He shall appear. We should abide in Him (that is, continue in Him, hour after hour), careful that whatever we do, wherever we go, we are in no danger of being ashamed before Him when He shall appear!

           (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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