1 John 2:1-6: a reflection

1My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 2And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. 3This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know that we are in him: 6he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

John writes to his readers so that they will not sin; he does not treat sin lightly. But knowing that we do sin, he adds a word of deep comfort: if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. When we fail, we are not left without recourse before God; we have an Advocate, one who pleads our cause with the Father, and who is himself the sacrifice that atones for our sins.

Notice the balance John holds. On one hand, he does not excuse sin; he writes that we may not sin, and he goes on to say that those who truly know God keep his commandments. But on the other hand, he does not leave us in despair when we fail; he points us to our Advocate, Jesus Christ, who represents us before the Father and whose sacrifice covers our sin. Sin is serious, but when we sin, we have an Advocate, not a closed door.

That gives us both a right seriousness about sin and a real comfort when we fail. We are not to take sin lightly, as though it did not matter; but neither are we to despair when we do sin, as though we had no recourse. When you fail, do not hide from God or sink into despair; remember your Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous, who pleads for you before the Father and whose atoning death covers your sin. And let this grace move you, not to carelessness, but to keep his commandments and walk as he walked. You have an Advocate when you sin; turn to him, and let his grace lead you to live for him.

Lord, John writes so that I will not sin, yet comforts me that if I do sin, I have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the atoning sacrifice for my sins. Give me both the seriousness and the comfort this holds. Help me not to take sin lightly, as though it did not matter; but keep me from despair when I do sin, as though I had no recourse. When I fail, keep me from hiding from you or sinking into despair; help me remember my Advocate, Jesus Christ, who pleads for me before you and whose atoning death covers my sin. And let this grace move me, not to carelessness, but to keep your commandments and walk as Christ walked. Thank you that when I sin, I have an Advocate, not a closed door; help me turn to him, and let his grace lead me to live for you. I rest in Christ, my Advocate and my atoning sacrifice.