My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1)
- Don't sin.
- Don't despair when you do sin. (there is hope)
Why do we have hope? This is because we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
But someone may ask, "If in the death of Christ our sins have all been covered, why do we need an advocate before God?
This is because the advocacy of Christ and the sacrifice (propitiation) of Christ are part of one saving work. They are not separate.
Three Tests that We Really Know Him
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:3-6)
- Keeping His commandments
- Demonstrating the Love of God
- Walk just as Jesus Walked
The ultimate goal of knowing Him is eternal life
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (1 John 2:5)
The love of God is much more than just an emotion or some goose bumps. Growing in the love of God is by keeping the commandments of God.
He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:9-11)
When you are walking in love you are walking in the light
When you are not walking in love you are walking in darkness
When one is walking in darkness, he may be walking but….
- he is walking without direction (aimlessly)
- He or she cannot reach his goals
does not know where he is going
Could people who are confused and aimless in life not be walking in love hence their condition is like this? Loving others and not wishing their ill fulfils the law of God (Romans 13:10)
I write to you, little children,
Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one. (1 John 2:12-13)
Three stages
1.Children
2.Young men (women)
3.Fatherhood
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. (1 John 2:13-14)
Children know their father
In the same way, Father’s must know their father too
If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. (1 John 2:29)
Being born again is more than just a confession, it's a lifestyle. It's a demonstration of the inner righteousness that we have received on the outside.