Sinning is no trivial matter for the Christian. We should strive with every ounce of strength that God gives us to turn from sin (v1a). John says he has written what he has to prevent people sinning. God’s Word, Biblical teaching is the great weapon to help the believer combat sin and temptation.

Perfection is what we aim for, but at the same time we must realise we will never reach it in this life (see 1 v8, 10). John teaches us how our hope when we sin has to be Jesus (v1b-2).

An advocate (v1b) was a lawyer called alongside someone to speak in their defence. Jesus likewise speaks in defence of His people. One major difference is that in legal cases the lawyer seeks to highlight the righteousness of the person they represent. In Jesus’ advocacy of us He can speak of no righteousness in us, but rather He points to His own righteousness. Jesus is the righteous one who perfectly kept the whole law (Matthew 5 v17).

Jesus’ intercession is an important Biblical truth. “who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8 v34).