December 27, 2019
1 John 2:1-6
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
New International Version (NIV)
There is a difference in knowing about someone and actually knowing them.  I shared recently about the time I ran into James Earl Jones in an elevator.  Before I could think the elevator doors closed and I missed my chance.  I know about this great actor.  I can recite lines from the Field of Dreams, Star Wars and the Lion King.  I recognized him in the elevator.  If you asked him about that day, I am confident he has completely forgotten.  I know about James Earl Jones, but he never knew me. 

How do we know if we really know someone?  Most importantly, how do we know if we truly know God?  John offers hope to sinners in the promise of an Advocate.  When the great accuser, Satan indicts our sin, Jesus the Righteous One stands as attorney in our defense.  We may be sure that he will win and we will be forgiven.  To be clear, Jesus, alone is the Defender of his church and his people.  Be wary of anyone who thinks the future of the church depends on them.  God has got us in the palm of his hand, even when the unbelieving world rejects our message. 

John says the proof of our salvation is not that we say we know God but that we love God and we love our neighbors.  In fact if we say we love God but hate people then we can be sure that we do not yet fully know God.  The better we come to know Jesus, the more loving we become.  Those who truly know Jesus live as he did.  Later in the chapter John reminds us that there is not only one Antichrist, but many antichrists who pretend to know Christ but never live as he did (1 John 2:18).  The danger is that they deceive even those who claim to follow Jesus.  When we see a person who claims to be a follower of Jesus but consistently hates other people, we know for sure they do not yet know him.  So we pray that they will come to know him, and we love them, but we do not defend their sin!

God wants to forgive all of us all of our sins.  But if we never acknowledge our sin, if we insist we have never made a mistake, we will never find his forgiveness at all.  Let Jesus be your Advocate today.  Own your own sin and ask him for forgiveness.  Then grow in grace, living more and more like he did.   Then we will never hear him say, “I never knew you.”  
Pray with me:       
Father, we thank you for Jesus, our Advocate.  Open our eyes to see those who are antichrists.  Do not let us be deceived.  In the name of our Advocate we ask you to forgive our sins and strengthen your church today.  We ask that we will come to know you better and become more and more like Jesus each day.  Help us to love all people as Jesus does.  With gratitude in Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen. 
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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