1 John 2:1 Commentary and Bible Study

Although God has provided for the confession and forgiveness of sin, the gospel is given to us so that we do not sin. None who see the gospel as an excuse for sin or an encouragement to sin have understood it, and their lives expose the fact that they are not God’s children. If we confess our sins to God promptly and obtain his forgiveness, we take steps to keep sin to the minimum, for unconfessed sin will doubtless lead to more sin.In our quest for holiness we would despair unless God had provided a remedy for sin. He has therefore appointed Jesus Christ to be our advocate – one called alongside us to help us – who presents the very best defence that can be made on our behalf. He defends us not by pleading our righteousness, but his own perfect righteousness which is imputed to us. He is perfectly equipped to be our advocate as the righteous one. Unlike an earthly advocate who defends the innocent, Christ defends the guilty; and unlike a professional advocate who abandons his unsuccessful client, Christ loves us with a love that can never be broken.