Thursday, June 7, 2012
1 John 2:1-2 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. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
PURE GOSPEL AND ABSOLUTE FREEDOM
The first sentence here is awfully puzzling. John just got done explaining that in Christ we are offered full forgiveness of our sins. It's this gift of forgiveness that John expects will move us NOT to sin.
So, if I could somehow guarantee that you couldn't be punished for speeding, would that make you drive the speed limit? Really? That's basically what John says here, and it's pure Gospel. When you understand that sin's punishment is eternal hell and that Jesus has taken that punishment away free of charge, the last thing you want to do is rush back into sin.
Faith in Christ doesn't mean license TO sin, it means freedom FROM sin. A close relationship with the forgiving Creator and His Son leads us to shed our old lives and embrace God's path. When we stumble into sins, which we continually do, we find that our close Friend still stands beside us. He is the Righteous One who died for us.
In verse two John really throws out the invitation to all sinners to feel the light of grace. He says that Jesus didn't just die for CHRISTIAN sinners, but for ALL sinners. He is the atoning sacrifice for the WORLD.
Basically, John says, "If you're a sinner, Jesus died for you. Your debt has been paid." Communion with the divine isn't intended for some little religious group that has some mystic knowledge which connects one to God -- NOT AT ALL! An intimate, personal relationship with God is there for ALL sinners. That relationship comes to us as a gift, earned and given through God's Son.
This relationship doesn't mean we don't sin. But when we do, we are forgiven. Thank you Lord Jesus.
