“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.” 1 John 2.1-2
A simple statement but with a commanding truth — Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. And not just for us individually, but for the entire world.
It goes without saying that those who love sin would hate the One who takes away their devices. And the one who encourages all sin, the devil himself, would hate the One who can atone for sin for the world. Jesus is the most loved and most hated figure in human history for this very reason. He is the salvation for some and the judge for others.
The disciple John knows there is a sin problem and he knows Jesus as Savior, rabbi, redeemer and friend. He walked with Jesus, listened to Jesus’ teach and lived with Jesus for three years. He was in the inner circle of three of Jesus’ closes disciples, he knows that what Jesus is saying is true and that we must be saved from our sin.
His first “wish” affectionally written to us who are his “spiritual” children is that we might not sin. That is the best case scenario. Sin not only hurts us but it hurts those around us. So don’t do it! “But if anybody does sin,” which is like saying, if anyone gets hungry or thirsty” — it’s going to happen! Rather when you sin, “we have an advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
What great news! What a remarkable man! What a life-saver God sent to help us when we were hopelessly drifting away upon the rough seas of darkness and sin. Jesus is our advocate, mediator, protector, champion as we come before God. He can do this because he himself is righteous and is without sin. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but for the whole world.”
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand the concept — sin keeps us from knowing God. We can’t help but sin. But when we sin, we have one who removes our sin and stands before us with God so we might be forgiven, accepted and saved. The gift is free to us, yet it cost Jesus his life. The only thing that remains is whether we will accept this gift and unwrap it with love, or continue to reject freedom and live in the disgust of our sin.
Turn to Jesus. Confess your sin. Don’t let satan have a hold upon your happiness. For the One who has redeemed the whole world is waiting to redeem you today.
“O Lord God, I hope I convey the Gospel message in every word I write, every message I preach, every moment of encouragement. There is freedom in Jesus! Thank you Lord for saving us. For when I was lost, you found me. When I was broken, you mended me. When I was running from your love you captured me with your grace. Come now, Holy Spirit, and remain in me as I battle sin and fight to know the Savior. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen