Daily Devotional Friday 3rd July 2020

by William Moody

1 John 2:1–6

Christ Our Advocate

2:1 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. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

(ESV)

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 ourselves, but rather He points to His own righteousness. He 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).

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4 v16).

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.