|
"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and 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 Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that 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 that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, these things I write to you, so 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 the whole world." 1 John 1:5-2:2
Dealing with Sin
As Christians, it is not our intention to sin, but unfortunately sometimes it happens. Sin is missing the mark. It is not being and doing what the Lord would have us to be and do.
Apostle John says, if we say we have fellowship with the Lord and walk in darkness, we lie and the truth is not in us. He also says if we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin. That is why it is good to live all we know. Do everything that we know to do that is right. For the more we (that is right), the more we will know to do (that is right).
"For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." Mark 4:25
What do we do if we sin? We confess it. (1 John 1:9) Don’t hide it. If we try to hide it, the truth is not in us. So we confess it and go on.
To whom do we confess our sin? We confess our sin to God. When we confess our sins to God, we tell Him exactly what it is we have done or not done. Call the offense by its name. Why? If you can name it, you understand it. If you understand it, you know what to avoid in the future. The act of confessing the sin is what sets us free from it. God said if we confess our sins He would forgive and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.
Jesus is our Advocate
Apostle John also says we have an advocate. (1 John 2:1) The word advocate comes from the word parakletos. It means helper, intercessor, or a person who is called to one’s side. Jesus is the One who intercedes with the Father on our behalf.
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
Jesus is our High Priest. He understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses because He was also tempted. But Jesus never sinned. Therefore, he knows the way out of our predicament. That is why we should listen to Him when He speaks to us.
Jesus is our Propitiation
Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. He is our propitiation. The word propitiation comes from the word hilasterion. It means place of conciliation or expiation. Jesus’ sacrifice is God’s will for the remission of sin. God accepts NO sacrifice for sin other than the sacrifice Jesus made. When we deal with sin in the manner that the Word of God instructs, we take Jesus as our propitiation and our confession frees us from sin.
Jesus Our Redeemer
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.' But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for 'the just shall live by faith'. Yet the law is not of faith, but 'the man who does them shall live by them.' Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:10-14
Sin brings with it a curse. The curse is the consequence of sin. EVERYTIME a person sins, the curse comes automatically. There are no exceptions. That is one of the reasons why sin should be avoided at all costs!
"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:" Deuteronomy 28:15
The purpose of the curse is to destroy you. Is there a remedy for this curse? Yes. His name is Jesus!
Jesus redeems us from the curse that is brought on by sin. The word redeem comes from the word exagorazo. It means to buy from. Jesus paid for the curse when He was hung on a tree. (Galatians 3:13) In order for us to receive our redemption from the curse, we must claim it. Then we don’t have to suffer the consequence of sin (the curse) because we receive Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.
We have a good God! He has been good to us. Not only did He pay for our sins, but He also paid for the curse that sin brings with it so that we don’t have to. Thank-you, Jesus!
Let us continue to avoid sin. But if we do, we know we have an Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous, Who is the propitiation for our sins and is also our Redeemer from the curse brought on by sin.
| 
