(REFLECTIONS ON 1 John 2:1-6 )

I often like to read 1 John 1:8-10 and 1 John 2:1-2 together because when read together it helps us to understand and make sense of Jesus’ atonement for our sins. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but not just for one moment in time, at one moment in our life, but for each moment of our life.

Some may teach that once we believe, our sins are forgiven, and we sin no more. Yes, our sins are forgiven, but practically speaking, do we always give God the glory that He deserves? Or does our life of faith on the other hand, actually help us to be more sensitive to our sin in our life?

As I grow deeper in my faith and my relationship with God, the more I see my shortcomings. It helps me to realize that what is so amazing about grace is that it isn’t just good for one time, or many times, but for all time. We need grace in our life as we face our shortcomings, our worldliness, and our sin, and it is in trying to live like Christ that highlights this need even more.

Yes, the purpose of 1 John is to remind us that as believers the expectation is that we will not sin. Although that is the expectation, the reality of it is that we are weak and our faith is often challenged. In today’s Scripture we are reminded of this conflict in our lives, but also are given the answer.

1 John 2:1-2

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

The goal is to not sin, but if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. It is through Jesus Christ that our sins, not only ours but the sins of the whole world, can be forgiven. Not just once, not just for some, but for all time, and for all that believe in the faith of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

We are reminded from 1 John 1:8-10 as well,

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

It is the goal of any faithful believer in Christ to not sin. But if, or rather when we do sin, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ. Let us then not claim to be without sin, but rather confess our sins, because He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

This is grace, mercy, and the Gospel for the world. John’s reminder to us is that sin should not be in our life, but because it often times is, we need to practice daily to confess our sins. May we never stop confessing our sins, because the power of the cross will never stop purifying us from all unrighteousness.

Again, this is not an excuse to sin, because our goal is to not sin, and it is in this struggle and wrestling that we live our life of faith with Jesus, so that we can continue to grow, mature, and be more and more like Him.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: 1 John 2