Read 1 John 2
1 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. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
Reasons for Writing
12 I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
14 I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
On Not Loving the World
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Warnings Against Denying the Son
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
God’s Children and Sin
28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.Go Deeper
Sometimes the gospel can be difficult to explain. In this chapter there are times in which it feels like John is saying two different things. There are portions in which he focuses on the seriousness of sin, but then later he outlines the seriousness of God’s grace. If you go back to read the chapter again, you’ll notice that there is an ebb and flow to his message. It’s almost like he is writing this chapter with conviction in one hand, and profound mercy in the other. Indeed, this is the message of the gospel! God desperately desires for us not to sin because He knows the consequences that it will bring on our lives. But God is also desperate to show us mercy because His Son paid the ultimate price for our iniquities. So John writes this chapter urging us not to sin, while also expressing confidence that our sins are paid for.
Even though much of John’s writing in this chapter is about our actions, it’s clear that our actions aren’t the main focus. It would be easy to leave this chapter wanting to do a better job of managing what we do. But that would be a dangerous mistake! While our sin is serious, it isn’t the star of John’s story. The message here isn’t about our actions, but rather God’s. Although we have fallen short, He has overcome. Although we have chosen darkness, He can bring us into the light. Although we are unrighteous, He is advocating for our forgiveness.
If we want to leave our life of sin, we don’t need to turn the spotlight on our actions, but rather His. This is why John ends the chapter by saying, “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” (v.28) The goal isn’t to power through on our own strength. We’ll never make it to the finish line that way. The only way we can find eternal freedom is by finding ourselves in Him. So while our sin is serious, our Savior is greater.
Questions
- Was anything surprising to you in this passage?
- Verse 15 says that we’ll either love the world, or we’ll love the Father. What in this world still has your heart?
- What can you do to make sure you “continue in Him” today?
By the Way
Satan is called “the accuser” in Revelation 12:10. He wants to do all he can to make you feel a tremendous amount of shame for your sin. On the other hand, Jesus is called “the Advocate” in this chapter. Rather than pointing out our faults, Jesus is advocating to the Father on our behalf.
4 thoughts on “1 John 2”
I’m reading “Tender and Lowly” (highly recommend) and in it he speaks about Christ our Advocate. “Sometimes we sin big and that’s what Christ’s advocacy is for. It’s Gods way of encouraging us not to throw in the towel… His advocacy on our behalf rises higher than our sins and speaks louder than our failures.”
Is it Gentle and Lowly?
In our present culture we are bombarded by voices of hate publicly spewed out to those who don’t share our opinions. Christians are often caught up in these heated exchanges. John makes a very bold claim about who really loves God in v9-11. Loving others is our solid evidence that we are abiding in the Light, which enables us to stand firm and keep sin at bay. Hate, on the other hand, blinds us to Truth causing us to stray and stumble in darkness. Today, I will carefully guard my heart quickly confessing any sin lurking at my door. I will cooperate and keep his Word longing for his love to be perfected in me.
Your comment reflects a deep.yet practical understanding/application of this chapter’s teaching.FACT: Within my own power,it is not possible for me to love all others. (ex.those who tear me down).Resentment,bitterness,hate,ect.result; love cannot coexist,darkness ensues,I am blinded to His Light(Truth),and the very hate I feel toward “my enemy” has entrapped me in sin.I separate myself from the Only,the Very One, Who Can keep me Seeing/Abiding in His Light,Loving Him,Cleansed,Joyful,Confident,and Unashamed. Thank you for your insight which aided my own understanding of this chapter.Now,I better understand why the Bible instructs us to “Love our enemies and to Pray for those who persecute us”.