1 John Chapter 2 Verses 1-12 We will finish the chapter next time.
John gives us his goal in chapter 2 verse 1, the goal is to help us sin not. The previous chapter we are told that we will sin. Now John wants us to grow away from having sin in our lives. Sin feels okay when there is no truth, because the action is not known until truth exposes sin. As we grow in the truth we change because our behavior is exposed as sin or as it is put in chapter 1 the light of truth exposes that we are in darkness.
When we sin, we have an Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous. This is our defense attorney that shows His righteous on behalf of the believers. Satan is the accuser before God, and we give Satan many sinful events to accuse us of. But grace gave us the righteousness of God who stands as our advocate declaring the saved covered by His blood. The advocate also stands with us through life.
Not only is Jesus an advocate for us but He is our propitiation. Propitiation means satisfier. Here is the Holman Bible Dictionaries definition: propitiation emphasizes the appeasement or averting of God’s wrath and justice. Propitiation is related to reconciliation, since it is through Christ’s death on the cross for our sins that we are reconciled to a God of holy love (Rom. 5:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Col. 1:19-23).
Why do we feel saved at times and not saved at other times? God helps us on this subject through John’s writings over the next few verses. Verse 3 , “we know that we know Him”. First catch we know, we have a peace about salvation when certain things are carried out in our lives. Even the saved will live unsure when they are surrounded by darkness. In order to feel salvation we need to allow some things to happen in our spiritual growth.
Keeping the commandments of God help us understand we are His child. Our actions and desires to do right confirm our salvation. Our actions do not create or bring about salvation, but it does confirm redemption has taken place. The scriptures move from commandments to keeping God’s word. We take in God’s word and we grow in life allowing the Word to be perfect in us, or to mature us spiritually. It even goes deeper than keeping God’s word to walking as Christ walked in verse 6. God even takes us deeper yet to loving our brother. This is the out working of the gospel. We receive Christ and desire His commandments, we learn of Christ and desire His ways, we grow in Christ in so much we live as Christ and that brings out a love of God where we love the people of God.
The process is cut off when we leave the light. Just as a plant needs light to grow, we need the light of God and His Word to grow. Maybe you doubt your salvation. If you do make sure first you are saved, you have repented and received the work of Christ on the cross as the payment for your sins. If you are saved, maybe you are spiritually starving.
Share how the reading is going as well as any questions or concerns with us.
mbpastor@fidmail.com Pastor Joe’s email memorial@fidnet.com Diane’s email Youth@mbcnewhaven.com Pastor Mark’s email
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