“OUR DEFENSE ATTORNEY”

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

1 John 2:1

As we move to the second chapter of John's first epistle, we find his purpose for writing: to warn his readers to avoid sinning. He addresses them as “little children”  (Greek “teknia”), meaning, “little born ones,” showing his affectionate fatherly love for them.

John understands believers’ tendency to sin, so he discourages them from committing one and instead encourages them to stay on guard. His letter serves as a warning sign, telling them about the dangers of sin. Being perfectly sinless is impossible for any believer, but this does not mean they are utterly hopeless.

Should a Christian fall into sin, he has an Advocate (Greek “parakleton”), which speaks of an attorney who defends his client before a judge. That role is reserved for our Lord Jesus Christ, our Defense Attorney.

John points out that Jesus is “with the Father,” highlighting His exalted position in heaven and “Christ,” which means “Anointed One.” He then describes Jesus as “the righteous,” which speaks of His innate holiness and righteousness—attributes that only belong to God.

We have a sinful nature, and therefore the possibility of sinning. That said, we always have the option to not sin. Why? Because sin no longer has control over us. But even if we do sin and repent, we have our Lord pleading our case before the Father.

Nevertheless, we know that true “teknia” will not hurt their Father on purpose. Instead, they will do as He says because they love Him.

May our obedience to Christ and resistance to sin prove that we honor God.

Pursue the Savior today!