Our Hope When We Sin (1 John 2:1-2) - 9/13/26

INTRO

• John continues his teaching about sin, confession, and cleansing from 1:8–10.

• Grace does not make us comfortable with sin.

• John calls us to pursue holiness while recognizing that believers still stumble.

• When we sin, our hope is found in who Jesus is and what Jesus has done.
  

OUR PURSUIT OF HOLINESS — v. 1a

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin…”

We Are Called to Holiness

• John’s goal is clear: “that you may not sin.”

• Grace never gives us permission to become comfortable with sin.

• The direction of the Christian life is toward greater holiness and Christlikeness.
  

We Still Battle Sin

• John adds: “But if anyone does sin…”

• Christians are not sinless.

• Sin remains, but it no longer reigns — Romans 6:14.

• We may fall into sin, but we cannot make peace with sin.
  

When We Sin

• Recognize it — Allow God’s Word to expose it.

• Confess it — Agree with God about it.

• Forsake it — Turn from it.

• Fight it — Put off sin and put on righteousness.

• Press on — Continue pursuing Christ.
  

When we sin, we do not hide it, excuse it, or stay down—we confess it, turn from it, and press on in Christ.

JESUS STANDS FOR US — v. 1b

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

“We Have an Advocate”

• John does not say we might have an Advocate. He says “we have.”

• When believers sin, Christ does not abandon us.

• Our hope after failure is Jesus Christ.
  

Advocate — Paraklētos

• One called alongside to help.

• A helper, representative, intercessor, or advocate.

• Jesus represents His people before the Father.

• He does not argue that we are innocent.

• He stands for people who really are guilty.
  

“Jesus Christ the Righteous”

• We sin — He is righteous.

• We fail — He remains faithful.

• Our righteousness is insufficient — His righteousness is perfect.

• Our confidence before God rests in Christ, not our performance.
  

When we stumble, Jesus Christ the righteous stands for us before the Father.

THE CROSS IS OUR HOPE — v. 2

“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Propitiation — Hilasmos

• An atoning sacrifice that satisfies God’s righteous judgment against sin.

• God is holy and just; He does not simply overlook sin.

• Jesus bore the judgment our sin deserved.

• The cross displays both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of grace.
  

God does not forgive our sin by ignoring it. He forgives us because Christ has dealt with it.

The Price Has Been Paid

• Jesus bore our sins — 1 Peter 2:24.

• Jesus became the curse for us — Galatians 3:13.

• Jesus suffered “the righteous for the unrighteous” — 1 Peter 3:18.

• His sacrifice is sufficient and complete.
  

Jesus can stand for us because Jesus died for us.

“For the Whole World”

• Jesus Christ is not the Savior of only one nation, ethnicity, or people.

• His sacrifice is infinitely sufficient.

• John is not teaching universal salvation — 1 John 5:12.

• There is one Savior to be proclaimed to sinners everywhere.

• Everyone who repents and believes can confidently look to Christ.
  

Our hope is not that God overlooks our sin; our hope is that Jesus Christ has fully dealt with our sin at the cross.

THE WHAT NOW?

• Pursue Holiness — Do not become comfortable with what Christ died to save you from.

• Confess Sin — Bring your sin honestly before God.

• Run to Christ — Jesus Christ the righteous stands for you.

• Rest in the Cross — Stop trying to pay for what Jesus has already paid for.

• Press On — Get back up and continue pursuing Christ.