1 John 1:5 – 2:2
This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (ESV)
Introduction
Two dangerous extremes in contemporary Christian culture:
Antinomianism : Casual approach to sin suggesting grace gives license to live as we please
Perfectionism : Unrealistic expectation of sinless perfection leading to pride or despair
John presents the biblical middle ground:
Walking in God’s light while honestly acknowledging our ongoing struggle with sin
1. The First False Claim and Its Correction
1.1 The Claim: “We have fellowship with Him while walking in darkness” (moral hypocrisy)
1.2 The Correction: True fellowship requires walking in God’s light
Two promises when we walk in light:
1. Fellowship with one another2. Christ’s blood continuously cleanses us (present tense indicates ongoing action)
2. The Second False Claim and Its Correction
2.1 Claim: “We have no sin” (denying our sinful nature)
The false claim: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8) This denies our sinful nature (not just sinful acts)
2.2 The Correction: Self-deception results when we deny our ongoing sinfulness
Proper response modeled by David: “I acknowledged my sin to you” (Psalm 32:5)
3. The Third False Claim and Its Correction
3.1 The Claim: “We have not sinned” (denying sinful acts and attitudes)
3.2 The Correction: We make God a liar when we deny our sinful deeds
David’s example of proper confession: “Against you, you only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4)
4. The Divine Remedy: Confession, Forgiveness, and Christ’s Advocacy
4.1 The promise of forgiveness through confession
The divine remedy: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
4.2 The provision of Christ’s ongoing advocacy
“We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1)
4.3 The sufficiency of Christ’s propitiation
Christ’s work: “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2)
Paul’s triumph: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Conclusion
• We must reject these three false claims.
• We must stand firmly and faithfully on the Biblical middle ground: honest acknowledgment of sin combined with confident trust in Christ’s finished work.