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1 John 2:1-2
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.
New International Version (NIV)
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I preached once as a college student at the First Baptist Church of Knob Noster, Missouri. Before the service, the sound technician asked me my subject, “What are you preaching on?” I answered, “On sin . . and I am against it.”
The Apostle and Elder John wrote against sin, too. After he explained the necessity of confession, John wrote to his “dear children” to encourage them not to sin. “But what if we do?” they may have wondered. “You have an Advocate,” John answered. Jesus is not an Advocate to help us to continue to sin, but to deliver us. Good news: our Advocate has access. Ever since he sat down at the right hand of the throne, Jesus has enjoyed constant contact with the Father. Jesus, the Messiah is the Righteous One. He helps us, precisely because he has not sinned.
So what does our Advocate say to the Father when we sin? Does he say, “Father, go light on them, they did not mean it”? Or does he explain it away as, “Humans will be humans”? No. Our Advocate points to his own sacrifice. Our sin cost Jesus his own life. He not only died for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world. Jesus is completely against sin. Are we?
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Pray with me:
Father, how we thank you today for our Advocate, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. Our sins are many, but your mercy is more. We do not ask you to forgive us because we deserve to be forgiven. No. We remember the awful price Christ paid. Show us the sinfulness of sin, so that when we are tempted today, like you we will be against it. Give us victory we pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 7:5-6
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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