Christ, Our Advocate 1 John 2:1 Series

Christ, Our Advocate 1 John 2:1

1 John 2:1 (NLT) – “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.”

Introduction

Today we explore the profound and comforting truth found in 1 John 2:1. The apostle John speaks directly to the hearts of believers, addressing us tenderly as “my dear children.” He writes with a deep pastoral concern to encourage us to live holy lives, avoiding sin. Yet, knowing the reality of human frailty, he reassures us that when we fall, we have an Advocate—Jesus Christ—who pleads our case before the Father.

This message is one of hope, grace, and transformation. We will unpack the significance of Jesus being our Advocate, the call to holy living, and how this truth empowers us to stand firm in our faith, even when we stumble.

1. The Call to Holy Living: “So That You Will Not Sin”

John begins this verse by making it clear that his intent in writing is “so that you will not sin.” The Greek word used here for "sin" is ?µa?t?a (hamartia), which means "to miss the mark." The mark, of course, is the perfect standard of God’s holiness and righteousness. As believers, we are called to live in such a way that we reflect God’s character in all we do.

This echoes the broader biblical teaching of holiness. 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NLT) calls us to this standard: “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” Holiness is not optional for the believer—it is our calling. But it is important to understand that holiness is not something we achieve by our own strength; it is the work of God’s Spirit in us.

When we pursue holiness, we become more like Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) tells us, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” This transformation process is ongoing, and it requires our active participation in turning away from sin and walking in the Spirit.

John Stott once said, “The pursuit of holiness is not a call to perfectionism, but a call to progress.” We will not reach sinless perfection in this life, but we are called to make progress in holiness.

2. The Reality of Human Frailty: “But If Anyone Does Sin”

Even though we are called to live holy lives, John acknowledges the reality of our human frailty by saying, “But if anyone does sin...” The Bible never presents an unrealistic expectation of perfection in this life. Rather, it acknowledges that we will stumble.

Romans 3:23 (NLT) confirms this, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Sin is a reality we face, even after becoming followers of Christ. However, John does not write this to give us an excuse to continue in sin, but rather to provide hope and assurance for when we do fall.

The word "if" in this verse does not assume that sin is inevitable, but it recognises the possibility. When we sin, we are not abandoned by God; instead, He provides a solution.

This is where the message of grace enters, and it leads us to the heart of today’s sermon: Jesus, our Advocate.

3. Jesus, Our Advocate: “We Have an Advocate Who Pleads Our Case”

The heart of this passage is the wonderful truth that “we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.” The Greek word for “advocate” is pa?????t?? (parakletos), which means "one who is called to help" or "one who stands alongside." In a legal context, this refers to a defence attorney, someone who intercedes on behalf of another.

Jesus is our Advocate. He stands before the Father, pleading on our behalf. But what is the basis of His plea? It is not our own righteousness or good deeds, but His own righteousness. The verse continues, “He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.” Our Advocate is not just a defender; He is the Righteous One who has perfectly fulfilled the law of God.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) provides further encouragement: “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Jesus, as our Advocate, understands our struggles, yet He is without sin. His righteousness covers us when we fail.