Our Advocate | Dana C. Baldwin

Introduction

A. John writes to restore confidence in God’s people. Shaken by the claims and actions of others, God’s people are having a hard time maintaining their faith. In the first chapter, John reassures the people in a number of ways:

John’s testimony joins with the testimony of others and thus is true.
John verifies that Jesus was seen, heard, touched. There is no doubt he was real and in the flesh.
God’s people who hold to these truths share in fellowship with John who has fellowship with God.
God is Light; no evil is in him. Those who have pulled away are not walking in the light. Those who remain faithful walk in the light and have fellowship with each other and with God.
Those who have pulled away have sinned. Their claim to be without sin in this matter is self-deceiving.
Those who claim to have never sinned are calling God a liar and thus fellowship with God is severed.

B. Beginning in chapter 2, John turns his attention directly to his readers. As he has dealt with those who have pulled away initially, he now turns his attention to those who remain who are hurting and needing reassurance. His discussion about the sin of those who have pulled away leads to his desire to reassure God’s people. But his reassurance is to call them to a higher commitment of walking in the light. Since God is Light and they are walking in the light, then John does not want them to minimize the impact of sin in their lives. As we study together today, may we hear the John’s call to God’s people today to walk more consistently in the light knowing that God will forgive those who sin.

Seriousness of Sin

A. These two verses are packed with meaning. “My dear children” suggests the closeness of John’s relationship with his readers. Not only is the relationship viewed from a family perspective but the use of the word “children” suggests that John’s role is that of patriarch. He is the leader. He is the “father” to these children. Not only is their relationship close but the expectation is that John’s words will be given considerable weight as they are read. As a revered father writing to his child, the expectation is for the child to read, understand, and follow his father’s words. Beyond the physical family illustration, John is the spiritual leader of these people. His words are to be obeyed not merely read.

B. Again, John tells his readers one of his many purposes for writing. He writes so that they will not sin. In 1:4, he writes so that his joy may be complete. This carried the idea of knowing that God’s people were maintaining and growing in their fellowship with God. Now he adds that his writing is to help his readers leave sin behind. John is not suggesting that sin will never occur. This is seen in his next statement about forgiveness of sin. His point is that the readers will not move away from fellowship with God.

C. The word “sin” carries two ideas. There is the ethical view which we understand better. John doesn’t want his sins to violate the will of God. But the other side is seen in the next few words. In contrast to those who have pulled away and denied the fleshly nature of Jesus, John’s use of sin also includes the idea of believing in Jesus as God in the flesh. This second view becomes more distinctive as the writing goes on, but is intended in the word “sin.” These two views are not separate but occur together. One can live an ethically good life, but not believe that Jesus is who he claims to be. Such is still sin although others would call such ethical living good. John doesn’t want his readers to sin. He wants them to believe in the Jesus that John has testified about and to maintain the will of God morally and ethically.

D. John’s intent is quickly followed by his understanding of reality. People will sin. And when this happen we have one “who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ.” This phrase is a translation of a single word which means advocate, intercessor, or mediator. The word literally means “called alongside to help.” It is a word which John uses in his gospel account in reference to the Holy Spirit. This idea carries the image of a courtroom scene in which charges are brought against the accused. Our advocate speaks on our behalf.

E. But John doesn’t stop with the idea of an advocate but calls Jesus the Righteous One. Our advocate is Righteous. In the NIV this term is capitalized for a very good reason. John’s intent is to help the readers understand that Jesus is Righteous as God is Righteous. In other words, our advocate speaks on our behalf and the Father cannot deny the words of Jesus because Jesus’ character is the same as God’s character. How is it that Jesus is Righteous and can be our advocate?

F. Because he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins? While there is some debate about the intent of the word that John uses in this sentence, the overall understanding of this sentence finds it basis in the Old Testament. A sacrifice was offered for a sinner. The sacrifice did two things—it took the place of the sinner thus abating the wrath of God and it led to forgiveness. John wants his readers to live exemplary lives with faith in the person of Jesus. But he also understands that when sin comes, Jesus whose character is the same as God’s speaks on our behalf so that sin can be forgiven. His sacrifice took our place leading to forgiveness of our sins and the sins of the whole world.

The Struggle

A. The focus of this text is often on the advocacy and sacrifice of Jesus. Such a focus is warranted. We need to be reminded of the greatness of our helper. Without Jesus we have no standing with God. With Jesus, our standing only takes place because of who Jesus is and what he has done. We cannot claim any standing with God on our own merits. This emphasis must not be ignored.

B. However, the intent of the text is found in the very first words. “I write this to you so that you will not sin.” This is the goal. This is not only John’s desire but the intent was that the readers would share in this goal. No sin. Not perfection—John’s reminder of our remedy for the problem of sin demonstrates he is not anticipating perfection. What he does anticipate is that God’s people will be trying not to sin.

C. Our culture (and every culture that has existed) has minimized sin. People believe that evil exists but most believe that their acts of sin would not fall into the category of evil.

The person who tells a “white lie” does not consider their deed evil; in fact, the person may call that “fudging the truth, stretching the truth, augmenting the truth” but not lying.
The person who assassinates the character of another supports their evil by saying “you know what I am telling you is true.” That which is evil is called good. This minimizes the sin.
The person who uses words which are crude, cursing, or hateful excuses their behavior by calling herself as “plain spoken.” Evil still exists but now is given a new more acceptable label.
We make all kinds of excuses for our behavior. We blame others; we lessen the intensity of the act; we even respond with “what’s the big deal?” The deal is that it is sin. It adds to evil in this world.

D. As God’s people our task is to avoid sin. It is to struggle against sin. The idea of struggle suggests that we are actively avoiding the sin as we are tempted. Temptation comes to each one of us. The struggle means we wrestle with the temptation. We wrestle it to the ground and we refuse to allow it to invade our lives. The temptation to speak in anger is wrestled so that compassion comes out instead of judgment. The temptation to protect self at the cost of truth is wrestled so that we bring honestly and integrity into this world rather than evil. Our problem is that to minimize sin is to treat the sacrifice of Jesus with the same casualness. Some have developed the idea that “my job is to sin and God’s job is to forgive.” Your job is to not sin. And when the sin comes, God will forgive. To presume upon the sacrifice of Jesus is to assume your sin is no big deal. Evil in any form is a big deal.

The point is not perfection. The point is to engage the struggle.
Sin doesn’t have to win. Jesus gives victory when sin comes. Invitation.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.