Jesus Christ Our Advocate
JESUS CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE
1 JOHN 2:1-6
John offers reassurance in Christ if we feel condemned.
John was an old man when he wrote his letter, so “My little children” (2:1) comes appropriately from him. We will see what he means by “that you may not sin” when we deal with 3:9; here we content ourselves with the remedy for sin. “Advocate” is a linguistically accurate rendering of “Paraclete,” a term used in some hymns for the Holy Spirit. It is used of the Holy Spirit in John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7, and of the Lord himself here. Obviously the same rendering should be used throughout if possible, for the Holy Spirit is “another” Paraclete. The Paraclete is the One whom one calls to one’s side. This may be for help, advice, comfort or representation. Behind all these lies the assumption that one hands over one’s affairs completely to one’s Advocate. He cannot act adequately unless one does. “Jesus Christ the righteous”: the implication of “righteous” is that he completely meets the Father’s standards.
Christ acknowledges that we are guilty but presents “the atoning sacrifice” (2:2 NIV; “propitiation,” ESV) of himself as the grounds of our being acquitted. So we, and all believers throughout the world (2:2), can know forgiveness and go free.
Knowing him (2:3-4; see also John 17:3) is virtually equivalent to walking in the light. Fellowship with God implies keeping his commandments. In addition, if we do hand our affairs over to Christ, it implies that we will not be concerned with this or that commandment, but that his word becomes an indwelling power (2:5). Then John passes over to a more personal expression. Walking in the light can be taken impersonally, but abiding in him (2:6; see also John 15:4-10), indicates the believer’s personal link with the Savior. It is possible to stress Jesus as the pattern for our lives in a way that overshadows his atoning work, but for all that it is an essential part of the gospel.
Thought There is nothing to fear, if we have handed everything over to Christ.