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January 30 My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:1,2 John has explained that we are to confess our sins and receive the cleansing that only Christ can give. Our goal is not to sin, however. But God knows our condition and has provided a way of recovery if and when we do sin. This does not diminish my love for Him; it only magnifies it. Jesus is our advocate—we might call Him a defense attorney in today’s world. When we sin He pleads our case before the Father and proclaims that He, Himself paid the penalty for our sin. The Father, as a judge, is now free to pronounce that He is satisfied—which is the meaning of propitiation. Reaching back in time to the temple worship, where a priest would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat covering the Ark of the Covenant, God can see the blood and be satisfied. In fact the mercy seat was called the propitiation. Yes, we have a loving God who has performed everything for the believer in Christ. It is overwhelming to realize that we have such a loving relationship with the Father. He is not condemning us when we sin, nor is He abandoning us. Instead He places the burden on Himself and His Son to prove our justification. The charges are dropped and we are set free to enjoy a relationship that is continually being renewed. I love Him for all of this! Thank You Father for the miracle of Your love. We are surrounded and nourished by it, and we see it expressed in Jesus. Make us the same way—a vessel of love that reaches out to a damaged world. We give all thanks to You. Amen. |
