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.
Tim Keller puts it this way: “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” This is the beauty of having Jesus as our Advocate—He knows our weaknesses and stands in our place.
4. The Power of Christ’s Advocacy: “Jesus Christ, the One Who Is Truly Righteous”
What makes Jesus a powerful Advocate is that He is “truly righteous.” The Greek term here is d??a??? (dikaios), meaning just or morally perfect. Jesus’ advocacy is based on His perfect obedience to the Father. He is the sinless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). His righteousness becomes ours through faith.
This idea of substitution is central to the gospel message. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) says, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” This is the great exchange—our sin for His righteousness.
Because of this exchange, we can stand before God with confidence, knowing that Jesus’ righteousness covers us. This should give us a deep sense of peace and assurance in our daily walk with Christ.
Application: Living in Light of Christ’s Advocacy
So, what does this mean for us practically?
Rest in Christ’s Finished Work – We no longer need to live in fear of condemnation. Romans 8:1 (NLT) says, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Jesus has already paid the price for our sin. His advocacy is not a temporary measure—it is eternal.
Pursue Holiness with Confidence – Knowing that Jesus is our Advocate should not lead us to complacency but should inspire us to live holy lives. We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, as Romans 12:2 (NLT) encourages us: “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
Confess and Repent Quickly – When we do sin, we should not hide from God in shame. Instead, we should run to Him, confessing our sin and trusting in His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 (NLT) assures us, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
Call to Action: Embrace Jesus as Your Advocate
As we close today, I want to challenge you to embrace the truth that Jesus is your Advocate. Maybe you’ve been struggling with guilt or shame over past sins, feeling like you can never measure up. Let me remind you that Jesus stands before the Father on your behalf. His righteousness covers your failures, and His love is greater than your sin.
If you are already a believer, let this truth strengthen you in your daily walk. If you have not yet placed your faith in Christ, now is the time. Jesus offers Himself as your Advocate before God, but you must trust in Him to receive this gift. Will you accept His invitation today?
Invitation to Faith in Jesus
For those who are hearing this message and have not yet trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, I want to extend an invitation to you. Jesus is ready and willing to be your Advocate, but you must first turn to Him in faith. He has already paid the price for your sins, and He stands ready to intercede for you before the Father. All you need to do is place your trust in Him.
Pray today and ask Jesus to come into your life, to forgive your sins, and to be your Lord and Saviour. He will not turn you away. He will welcome you with open arms and bring you into the family of God.
