1 John 2:1-2 – “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” NKJV

Here we come to one of those words in the Bible that many look at, read, and pass by without giving much thought to – PROPITIATION.  John tells us in this passage that his purpose was to help them come to the place so that they “do not sin.” 

However, he also recognized that they were human beings and were subject to stumbling and succumbing to temptation, thereby entering into “acts of sin.”  His pastor heart compelled him to address the truth that “if we do sin (or as someone said – “when we sin”), we have an Advocate (someone to plead our case in the legal court of heaven), and that one is Jesus who paid the price for our redemption.  No greater Attorney could be found than Jesus Himself.  His standing with the Father is unequaled by any.

John tells us that Jesus was the “propitiation for our sins.”  He is the ATONEMENT.  He paid the ultimate and complete sacrifice or price for our redemption.  Jesus came among us, lived as a man subject to temptations like we are, and lived above sin.  He satisfied the demands of divine justice and became the sacrificial lamb for the SIN OF THE WORLD. 

Through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, He has fulfilled the legal requirements of divine justice to break the hold and power of the devil on our lives.  We no longer belong to the devil. We belong to God; whenever we fall short and miss the mark, the devil is Johnny on the Spot to remind God and us of that fact.  That is where Jesus comes in.  He receives our repentance, presents us before the Father, and identifies His work, the covering of His blood on our sins and our repentance.  He is our Attorney!

Therefore, instead of allowing the devil to beat you up over sin, realize that you have one pleading your case that is worthy – Jesus!  So instead of giving up and throwing in the towel, saying it is no use, recognize that it is “in Him” and “through Him” that we live and move and have our being.  Our hope is not in our ability but in Him.  Our hope is not in our perfection but in His.  Our hope is not in reaching a point where we have no flaws but in Him who is flawless.

As you go through this day, refuse to allow sin to beset your course.  If you sin, immediately go to your attorney – Confess that sin, receive His pardon, and allow Him to present your case in the court of heaven.  You are part of the redeemed of the Lord, so rejoice!

May God be with you as you go through the day!  Blessings1