1 John 2:1-6- written to Christians so they won't sin
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. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
I. So that we don't sin
v1 - written word of God has power to keep us from sinning
-- Psalm 119:11 - put it in our heart
- not a natural strength, but supernatural
-- given to us by God wen we pray
- 3 ways to avoid sin:
1. Lots of Bible
2. Pray always
3. Be quick to confess (he will forgive...1 John 1:9)
II. The Defense Attorney for when we do sin
v1 Christ speaks to the Father in our defense
v2 the defense = Christ, our atoning sacrifice
- Christ is the only one who is pure and therefore the only one who can go before God
-- he enters our guilty plea
-- he has taken our punishment, penalty
--- "atoning sacrifice"
--- satisfies God's justice
? - why not sin continually because we know Christ will forgive us
- if we have that attitude, then we don't know the Lord
- if we know the Lord, then we know his love and sacrifice
III. Love made complete
v5 obedience completes love
- we love and obey bc he has loved us
-- our response to his love (songs are appropriate...Exodus 15:1-21)
-- completes the circle (His love completed/perfected; this is how it was designed to be)
3 Questions:
1. Do I believe in Jesus?
2. Do I confess sins to God?
- quick confession is crucial!
-- we can't wait to do good and then confess
--- what's the point? we can't clean ourselves up enough to come before God and we risk forgetting to confess, which is what Satan wants
3. Do I want to obey?
- If the answers are yes, then we are Christians!
