62-05 Our Righteous Defender
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1 John 2:1-2
1 John 2:1-2
Back in June 1994-we moved to CA to begin seminary. I will always remember the day-I ?1Oh J Simpson-infamous chase with police. The ensuing trial was the focus of every news station for the next 1 ó years. It captivated LA and every other part of the nation/world. The result-you have TV stations dedicated to broadcasting trials continuously.
There is an on-going trial that has far greater significance for the believer. Rev 12:10 today there is continual accusation made by Satan against sinners. Sinners are represented before the heavenly courtroom-bar of divine justice b/c all are guilty of violating God's law.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
We are all guilty and the just sentence of those guilty is eternal death. So Satan stands to make accusation against humanity and seeking divine sentence to be handed down to every sinner. But that is not the end of the story b/c there is another figure-a righteous defender-whom John calls "Advocate"
1 John 2:1-2-unfortunate chapter division here (came 12-15 hundred years after completion of NT.) Not inspired: 1Jn 2:1 resumes the thought of vv 5-10 of ch 1.
John is there refuting false teachers who claimed to be without sin. John says we sin and to claim to be without it proves one thing-that you have never received God's truth. John unfolds the reality that our sin is cleansed by the blood of Christ. God is light-His provision for sin gives believers the ability to walk in the light and do those things that are in harmony with the nature of God.
Someone might say: "It is impossible to quit sinning entirely so I'll just give up." Or "b/c remission of sin is a matter of simple faith, it is so easy to not be concerned with trying to live without it-'a few more sins won't really matter.’”
John says "I am writing ... " (2:1).
On-going struggle with sin-Rom 7:14-25
But back in Rom 6:1-7,12-14,22
We don't have to sin-believers are not enslaved to it as unbelievers. Exhortations in Scripture "put off the old self ... put on the new" consider your earthly members dead John says "I write that you may not sin." Of course this is only possible thru the perfect provision for cleansing of sin in J.C.
Ultimate provision is made thru His blood and in light of that wonderful truth, John tells us there are 3 things to remember:
1) Remember your responsibility to pursue holiness
1) Remember your responsibility to pursue holiness
"little children" term of endearment (6 more x) John's loving address to his spiritual children-those he was responsible for imparting spiritual truth to. There is a lofty goal set before them to stop sinning-John as a pastor emphasizes his love for the sheep to soften the blow.
The goal of the believer is the eradication of every act of sin. May not sin-tense and mood (Aorist Subjunctive) “you won't commit a single act of sin.” We are urged to eliminate not only the habitual patterns of sin in our lives but every sinful thought, word, deed that is contrary to Christ. The day we are glorified we will see the fulfillment of this goal-but strive toward holiness in our present lives.
48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
Remember that when you put your trust in Christ for the salvation from sin and its penalty, you died to sin-you don't have to sin-but rather you should remember to pursue holiness b/c God is holy.
2) Remember Your Righteous Defender
2) Remember Your Righteous Defender
We are experienced in the on-going struggle Paul described. “and if anyone ... " divine comfort to those who struggle. The goal is sinless perfection, the reality is the body of flesh that remains unredeemed-if someone commits sin-an act of sin (not habitual)-if he does, we have an Advocate.
Gk paraklete. John is only NT writer to use it-lit "one who is called alongside to help."
We have a divine helper-used of the HS in GJohn. Intercessors on behalf of others. HS called "another"
Extrabiblical Gk-"helper in a legal trial-not an attorney but one who appeared in court on behalf of another-a friend of the defendant called to testify to the character of that person."
This Advocate-paraklete becomes our defender/intercessor
Rom 8:34; Heb 2; 17; 7:25
Heb places emphasis on the sympathetic ministry-He knows our human condition b/c He experienced-so a faithful High Priest.
"with the father" speaks of face-to-face intimacy "facing" the Father. Our Advocate has an intimate relationship with the God the Father.
So no confusion as to His identity-Jesus Christ ...
"JC" full humanity and full deity.
"righteous" absolute perfection-Jesus was lamb
"unblemished and spotless" perfect, without sin. I need a righteous defender/advocate who represents me before a righteous judge-He is righteous b/c He is God.
Remember-our goal is to be perfect/to pursue holiness in everything we think, say and do. Yet when we sin (comforting), we have a righteous defender that causes us to withstand the accusations of Satan.
It wouldn't be enough to simply have this righteous defender represent us-b/c we are sinful and stand guilty before God.
There is a real offense, real guilt, and we stand liable to a real sentence-eternal damnation. There must be a righteous defense.
3) Remember Your Righteous Defense
3) Remember Your Righteous Defense
Advocate doesn't just plead our case-He is our case.
Vs 2 "He himself' emphatic
"is the propitiation" very important word/concept in NT.
Gk hilasmos- general term means "to appease to satisfy"
Lk 18:13; Rom 3:24-25
Christ's death as a propitiation-the appeasement of God's holy wrath against sin is central theme of Bible. All burnt offerings, peace offerings, various meal offerings, the great ceremonies and rituals, everything connected to the tabernacle and temple-pointed toward Christ and His perfect sacrifice.
That sacrifice, offered once for all, satisfied the demands of God's justice, thus appeasing His holy anger against believers' sin.
Why is a propitiation needed? Why did it have to be Jesus?
Ex 25:10-22
Gk tran of OT LXX hilasmos "mercy seat" Mercy seat was the lid or cover of the ark. It was placed between the cloud of divine glory above the ark and the law tablets inside the ark. The priest would sprinkle the seat with blood from the sacrifices and so it became the place where atonement was made for sin.
The sprinkle blood stood between God (his glory) and His broken law. Heb 10 tells us the blood of animals could never appease God-take away sin. A greater sacrifice was required.
Interesting note: Never in the OT sacrifices did you have the high priest acting as the sacrifice. The priest was never the sacrifice.
John tells us "He is our propitiation" not only propitiator but also the propitiation. Jesus is the High Priest and He is also the sacrifice.
God's holy anger against sin can be appeased in 2 ways:
1) Through eternal hell as the sentence an unrepentant sinner will receive
2) Through the blood of Christ applied to those who trust Jesus for salvation.
God demanded a blood sacrifice and Jesus offered it as the perfect lamb which satisfies God's anger against those who savingly believe in the work of Christ.
Propitiation is necessary b/c God's justice demands that sin be atoned for, Jesus had to be that sacrifice b/c He is the only one worthy to appease God's holy wrath against sin.
Note: he is propitiation for our sins-these are the sins of believers. If we sin (though commanded not to sin), we have an advocate who is the perfect appeasement of God's wrath against the sins of those who trust in Him.
But John adds one more thought-if this weren't glorious enough!
"not only ... world"
This vs has been the cause of endless debate (limited vs unlimited atonement-did Christ die for the elect or for the world)-my answer is "yes."
Term world Gk cosmos-it carries about 10 different meanings in Scripture: entire universe, physical earth, world system (ruled by Satan), general public, human realm, unbelievers, or believer.
The question is "what does John mean?"
I think John is speaking of the human realm-he is not referring to every individual in the world. If that were the case-everyone would be saved b/c John is speaking of an actual propitiation of God's anger thru Christ. The Bible rejects universalism-"broad gate leading to destruction many enter."
John is speaking about God directing His saving purposes toward the world of humanity, realm of mankind-human race." Humanity is the stage of the unfolding of the drama of redemption."
"God loved the world ... " He came into the world ... but those in world did not receive Him"
John is referring to general humanity. Salvation is offered to every person-the call to be saved is universal. But appeasement of God's anger against sin-leading to eternal life only happens for those who trust in JC. Scripture teaches that Jesus died for the world-but that is generally speaking b/c many are condemned to eternal death. Redemption is available to all but actually accomplished in those who believe.
The Lord has given us much to take to heart this morning. Let me add one thing: Acts 4:12
All roads do not lead to eternal life. There is only one sacrifice capable of taking away sin and thus satisfying God's anger directed against sinners. Any other teaching leads to destruction. But God says it is through JC that we must be saved. He shed His blood providing cleansing to anyone who believe on Him. He is the only sacrifice and His sacrifice averts God's judgment and grants eternal life. Will you trust Him today?