1st John 2:1-2 AFFECTION EXPRESSED How does a father get important things across to adult children without seeming to talk down to them nor demean them in any way? The compassion of one's heart is heard by the tone of voice, facial expressions, and the focus of the eyes. To get this across in written words limits us to the proper position of words in a sentence and they way they are used. John did not use the word "we" in verse one of this chapter as he did in the first chapter as an apostle. Rather he established his personal connection with them by using the word "my" and the words "little children," as a father would speak to those born into his family. To express one's self as a caring, older father who has the welfare of his children in his heart, makes what he says of special impact. This distinguishes the words, "little children," as one would speak to adults without a condescending manner.
Probably many who would read this epistle when it was first written would have been his own spiritual children. They would understand his words to be those of an affectionate older believer who wants the best for them so they could live victorious lives. Expressions of endearment are never out of place when it comes to giving instruction and correction. These "children" had heard from Gnostics that sin wasn't all that serious. So he wrote in the previous verses [1:5-10] the way believers are to deal with sin. Lest they take sin lightly he states. "That ye sin not." A true child of God does not want to sin, nor should he regard the promise of forgiveness as a license to sin. Actually, that promise should motivate us to keep from sinning so the name of our Lord and our Father should not be demeaned by our lifestyle of sin.
The sacrificial love of our Savior to provide forgiveness and salvation both full and free, constrains us to live holy, righteous and godly out of gratitude and appreciation for Him. But sadly, we do sin, so the words, "If any man sin," is a reference to some specific sin that has been committed. When we are guilty of sin and are feeling condemned, we are assured that the cross-work of Christ is sufficient to deal with all of our sin - past, present and future. Sinning for a believer should be the exception, not the constant in life. Our new nature warns us as the Holy Spirit moves our conscience to reject sin in spite of its appeal. But we do fail. We are not sinlessly perfect. The accuser will seek to make one think they have "lost their salvation" or never were saved at all.
John writes to assure them of our Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the One who suffered, "The just for the unjust to bring us to God." He has satisfied the requirements needed to turn away the wrath of divine righteousness. One the basis of the perfection of Christ's sacrifice, the atonement for our sin has been made once and for all. Habitual sin is not the practice of a child of God. We love our Father too much to want to dishonor Him in any way. We love our Lord Jesus too much to want anything or anybody to disregard the supreme sacrifice He made for us on the cross. We want Him to be honored, trusted and accepted by everyone. We who have believed in Him, have been forgiven and cleansed, know what a blessing it will be to others who receive Him.
"Jesus Christ the righteous," makes our acceptance permanent. He does not excuse sin, justify it in any way nor claim our sin is not serious. He took our case personally and in a righteous way, dealt with the whole matter before the Father as the One who is the propitiation. This is not a reference to the cross-work He accomplished, but it is the Advocate Himself who is the propitiation for our sins. He is continually in the presence of divine justice as the One and only One who has removed the barrier of sin by the punishment He endured in our place. We are accepted on the basis of that sacrifice, and the value of the living Savior who has "made us accepted in the Beloved."
Propitiation is also a fact that the gift of God has been given to us because the love of God has provided what we need. Actually, propitiation is an act of love on God's part toward us. Propitiation is available for everyone to have, but that does not mean that all men's sins are forgiven because Christ died for our sins. God wants "all men to be saved" and has supplied sufficient payment to save all men. We can say the message of salvation goes out to all. "It is unto all, and upon all them that believe." God wants "all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." The sacrifice Christ made was infinite, it was of infinite value, and provided by an Infinite Person, of infinite power, authority and worth. No matter how many other persons have existed, His infinite Being goes beyond anything finite. It is on the basis of this that our fellowship with God leads us to live in conscious victory. There is no reason or need for sinning. Our fellowship is maintained constantly by our Advocate, and we are motivated to please Him.