1 John 2 {New International Version}
1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Like a doting mother, John explicitly states his purpose in writing to the early Christians who were confronted with heresies and false teachings concerning the Lord Jesus: His deity and humanity.
In the 2 verses before us, John tells those early believers and us, too in Word for the World three important considerations:1. Do not sin.
What is sin that John tells us: do not sin!? It means being disobedient to God or refusal to submit to His Word; being insubordinate. These definitions bespeak of the seriousness of sin and the serious consequences it brings to a person’s life. More especially, how God views sin: big or small. Accordingly, that is how we ought to regard sin, too: with much seriousness and respect for how God regards it.
- It insults the suffering of Christ;
- It sugests that we have the nature of satan rather than God;
- It can jeopardise our assurance of salvation
- It can put us beyond the reach of hope
2. In case you sin, don’t despair. We have Jesus as our Advocate
Indeed the finished work of Christ on the Cross is enough: He is the propitiation for our sins–removing God’s wrath against sinners by His death. By this, Jesus justifiably pleads continually on our behalf before God the Father in heaven. Because of this, we are not to despair but be eternally hopeful.
3. Jesus is enough–share Him with the world.
As recipients of God’s profuse love and forgiveness, we ought not hoard them but be inspired to share these with others throughout the world.
It’s so wonderful to get hold of and experience God’s love in Jesus Christ: so reasuring that in His hate for sin, He even provides for us that we may escape His wrath and the penalty of our sins. So wonderful that God Himself took great pains sending His only Son to suffer the indignity of becoming human and die on the Cross–to make us realise and express our need for Jesus. Let’s not squander it but be ever expressive of our need for Him.