Jesus, Our Advocate (1 John 2:1-2)

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
(1 John 2:1-2, NASB)

More verses of amazing encouragement! John’s first hope for his readers was that they not sin at all. And as followers of Christ, that should be our daily goal: to be as Christ-like as possible and fight against sin.

But John knew how fleshly and flawed we humans are, so he reminded his readers that, when we do sin, Jesus is our Advocate, our interceder. Jesus, the righteous. Jesus, our sacrifice. Jesus, our Savior.

He is the “propitiation for our sins.” He is, according to Webster’s Dictionary, our “atoning sacrifice.” Jesus willingly gave His life to save you and me from our sins. He willingly gave His life to save everyone from their sins. Everyone.

And all we need to do is acknowledge that sacrifice. Confess our sins and then accept the gift of salvation. And then, as Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Sin no more” (John 8:11). So simple. Yet for many, so difficult. Because it means they have to, well, confess their sin. And even more, they’re to sin no more. They either don’t think they’re capable of not sinning (and without the Holy Spirit, they are) or they don’t want to not sin.

If it’s the latter? They need a major change of heart. If, however, you’re reading this, and it’s the former, take heart. God knows you may sin again, even after accepting Jesus as your Savior. But, with the Holy Spirit in you (which happens immediately when you ask for Jesus’ forgiveness and ask God to be Lord of your life), you’ll be more and more aware of the sin in your life. You’ll confess it, and then, it will have less and less a stronghold on your life.

And if you do sin every once in a while? Your Advocate is ready and willing and able to intercede for you with the Father. And forgive you of that sin.

So be encouraged. I know I am.