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"God's Remedy for Our Failures"
1 John 2:1-2

Wednesday AM Bible Study
September 7, 2005

Have you trusted Jesus? But are you still frustrated over the fact that you still fall? This passage teaches us that, for those of us who have fellowship with God through Christ, a provision has been made for our failures.

I. THE GOAL IS THAT WE NOT SIN (v. 1a).

A. God saves us in order to completely deliver us from sin - not so that we may continue to live in it without guilt. This is a point that John has already emphasized in 1:8-10).

B. It's possible for someone to erroneously think that they can presume on God's grace; that is, be carefree about their sin, knowing that they can just ask forgiveness later. This is an error that is addressed in several places in the Bible (Gal. 5:13; 1 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 4; and perhaps Romans 3:7-8). The ongoing attitude that someone can keep on sinning and simply confess their sins afterwards - after they have 'enjoyed them' for a while - would be an indication that they not saved at all (1 John 3:4-9). It is to live contrary to a God who is light - with whom it is impossible to have fellowship while living in darkness (1 John 1:5-7).

C. John wrote to his readers specifically with the intention that they not sin. True followers of Christ are not "sinless". They struggle with sin. And when there is a struggle with sin, they should take comfort in the fact that John refers to his readers - in a very pastoral and compassionate way as "my little children". The struggle may be there; but that doesn't terminate their relationship with the Father, or cause them to cease to be members of the body of Christ.

II. THE PROVISION IS THAT, WHEN WE SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE (v. 1b).

A. The word translated Advocate (peraklétos) means "one who is called out to help another".

1. The same word is used to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-16). The Holy Spirit serves on earth as the Father's advocate with the saints; and the Lord Jesus serves in heaven as the saint's Advocate before the Father.

2. We need an Advocate, because of "the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). But the Jesus stands before the Father as our "defense attorney"; pleading His own blood for us, so that no accusation can stand (Rom. 8:33-34).

B. Notice:

1. Who our Advocate is. He is Jesus Christ "the righteous"; who suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18; see also 2 Cor. 5:21).

2. Who He is the Advocate for. "We" - which suggests anyone who believes. John even includes himself.

3. Who He is our Advocate before. He isn't simply our advocate before "God"; but specifically God who is "our Father". When we sin and fail, He still remains our Father, and we His children (John 16:27).

III. OUR ADVOCATE COMPLETELY SATISFIES GOD CONCERNING OUR SINS (v. 2).

A. He is our "propitiation" - that is, the complete satisfaction of God's

B. He Himself is the propitiation. He not only pleads our case, but He Himself is the plea! He not only argues that a provision is made for our sins; but He Himself is the provision.

1. He is this continually; because it doesn't say that He was our propitiation, but that He "is" our propitiation. He serves this role even right now; and will forever.

2. And He serves it effectively. He not only is the propitiation for our sins; but is sufficient for the whole world. The world knows no other propitiation; but He Himself is sufficient for the whole world if the whole world would believe.

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