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THE POSITION OF CHRIST AND SIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
1 John 2:1-2
John 3:14-18
 
“That whosoever believeth in him
should not perish …”
 
THE POSITION OF CHRIST AND SIN
 
John wrote at length on the work of Jesus Christ and God’s commandments. He gave guidelines on obedience and overcoming those who discourage obedience. Christ is called the advocate and propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Obedience to Him is the solution to sin.
 
An “advocate” (1 John 2:1) is one who pleads for another. It is a term nowadays used for lawyers who represent others in court cases. The Greek term is parakletos. Jesus used this term in the Gospel of John to refer to the Holy Spirit and it is translated “Comforter” (John 14:16). John here applied it to Jesus. His work of intercession at the right hand of God the Father commenced immediately after His ascension to heaven. He assumes His position having completed the work of redemption when He gave His life for the sins of the world. Note the truth in the well-known Bible verse, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Who has not memorised these words?
 
Christ is also referred to as “the propitiation” (1 John 2:2). It is defined as that “by which God is rendered propitious, i.e., by which it becomes consistent with His character and government to pardon and bless the sinner. The propitiation does not procure His love or make Him loving; it only renders it consistent for Him to exercise His love towards sinners… Christ is ‘the propitiation’, because by His becoming our substitute and assuming our obligations He expiated our guilt, covered it, by the vicarious punishment which He endured …” (Source: Easton Bible Dictionary.) Do you have a part in Christ?
 
THOUGHT: The work of Christ as our advocate is our confidence.
PRAYER: Lord, may I be among those whom Thou represent.

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