Victory in Jesus
1 John 2: 1-6
As I studied this passage, I was reminded of the relationship John enjoyed with Christ. He was part of the inner circle, one of three that were closest to Jesus. I am convinced Jesus didn’t love those three more than the others, but they were privileged to experience events and activities the others missed. John enjoyed a physical relationship with the Lord as he walked with Him and witnessed the many miracles He performed. He saw enough physical evidence to prove Jesus was the Christ, but I believe John’s spiritual relationship with Christ exceeded the physical encounters. He witnessed the empty tomb, talked with the resurrected Lord, and was there as Jesus ascended back to the Father. John was absolutely convinced Jesus was the Christ. He knew the benefit of such a relationship and he wanted the church to experience it as well.
Keep in mind this epistle was written to the church at large. We are thousands of years removed, but it bears application for our lives as well. Just as those who received the actual letter penned by John’s hand, we would do well to heed it instruction. We need to experience a fulfilling relationship with Christ as well. I want to discuss the affirmations of John in this passage as we think on: Victory in Jesus.
I. The Appeal to Believers (1-2) – We sense the concern and compassion John has for the church. He addresses them as little children, as those who need instruction and guidance. He appeals to the church in our opening verses. Notice:
A. The Desire (1a) – My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. That seems very elementary, but it reveals the genuine desire of John for the church. He desired that they live life free of sin. He had written to them in hopes of providing necessary guidance to live victorious in Christ, not bound by the burdens and consequences of sin. He desired their focus to be upon the Lord and service to Him rather than on the lusts and desires of the flesh.
We would have to agree that this is a noble desire. Many today live defeated lives due to sin. They made decisions or engaged in activities that appealed to the flesh, and sadly discovered that sin never produces the desired result. I am not advocating that we can obtain perfection in this life, but it ought to be our desire to live life free of sin. We may not be able to obtain perfection, but there is nothing wrong in striving for it!
The problems our world faces are the result of sin. Problems within the church and our individual lives can be traced back to sin. We need to live our lives free of sin, as much as we possibly can!
B. The Discretion (1b) – And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: John desired they rise above sin, but he also knew the realities of living in the flesh. He knew our bodies were prone to sin. He knew there was a constant battle between the spirit and the flesh. He knew the believer would commit sin. This was simply a fact of life.
I would never encourage sin and we certainly cannot condone or promote sin, but we too face a constant struggle with the flesh. We can do the very best we possibly can to live for the Lord, seeking to please Him, and yet we will come short and miss the mark. As long as we live in this body of flesh, the struggle with sin will remain.
I have met those who honestly believe we could obtain perfection in this life. If that were true, why would God have sent His Son to die for our sin? If it were possible, I am convinced God would have demanded we accomplish it. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. I know some devout Christians who live victorious lives, but they do not live above sin.
C. The Deliverance (1b-2a) – And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: We will sin and come short while living in a body of flesh, and when we do, we have hope. John declares we have an Advocate with the Father who stands as our propitiation for sin. We do not have to live in defeat because of sin.
Jesus is our Advocate. He stands alongside us in order to help in any way possible. This pictures a friend who offers comfort and help to one who is troubled or distressed. It pictures a commander called upon to encourage and equip a discouraged troop. It also pictures a lawyer who pleads our case before the judge. Jesus is each of those to us. When we sin and fail in the journey, we have an Advocate who stands with us and for us!
Jesus is also our propitiation. This means He is “our sacrifice, our covering, the payment and appeasement for sin, fully satisfying the righteous demands of the Father.” When we sin and miss the mark, engaging in activity that ought to bring punishment, we stand righteous before God in Christ. We are covered by His righteousness. He fully satisfied the righteous demands of God and His righteousness is imputed to our account. When God looks at the believer, He does not see the faults and failures present in our lives; He sees the righteousness of His dear Son! 1 Peter 2:24 – Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
D. The Devotion (2b) – And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. John reminds the church that the propitiation of Christ was not limited to them. As He offered Himself an atonement for sin, He appeased God for the sins of the world.
That ought to comfort and challenge our hearts. I am glad salvation was offered to all who look to Christ by faith. I am glad it wasn’t reserved for the Jews or for the elite in life. I am glad there were no social or financial restrictions placed upon it. Christ gave His life for the sins of the world. He died so that all might be saved! His salvation was offered to us, and it continues to be offered to the world today. We must seek to share the good news with those who desperately need to hear. Christ died for their sin as well and He wants them to be saved!
II. The Allegiance of the Believer (3-4) – John also addresses the allegiance, or commitment, of believers. Our relationship with the Lord, or lack thereof, will be evident in our lives. Consider:
A. The Confidence of the Redeemed (3) – And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. Have you ever doubted your salvation? Have you ever wondered if your relationship with the Lord was all it needed to be? Has someone asked you how we can know for sure we have been saved? John knew of these questions and the uncertainty they create in our lives. In this epistle John shares several assurances of our salvation. This is one of those assurances. He does not infer that we will live above sin, but there will be a continual desire in our hearts to live pleasing unto the Lord. Our lives will be measured and dictated by the Word of God.
This is an attribute that will reveal itself. It will be evident in the lives of believers. We will be known by living in obedience to the Word. Luke 6:44 – For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. I was one who struggled with security for several years. I am thankful that I am settled in my faith today. I do not live a perfect life, but I do see fruit that bears witness of my salvation. It is possible to be confident in your relationship with Christ, fully putting all doubt and fear to rest.
B. The Confession of the Rebellious (4) – He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Just as believers are known for their fruit, the unbeliever is identified by his fruit. The lives they live confess their lack of faith and conversion. Many today claim allegiance to the Lord, but their lives reveal something different. We learned in our study of James that is impossible for us to keep the entire law. That is not what John speaks of here. He is dealing with those who profess Christ and yet there is never any confirmation through the lives they live. If our lives are lived in continual disobedience to the Word, without any desire to please the Lord, we are deemed a liar, void of truth.
Our allegiance to the Lord will be revealed much more by our walk and actions than through the words we speak. We can talk of the Lord all day, but our lives must also bear witness of a relationship with Him.
III. The Advantage of the Believer (5-6) – We know it pays to live for the Lord in light of eternity, but there are also benefits while in this life as well. John speaks of some of those. We see:
A. Our Maturity (5a) – But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. As we walk with the Lord, living according to His Word, His love is perfected in us. His love becomes complete and mature. We know the Lord more intimately than before. Our fellowship with Him is enriched as we grow in Him.
You will have to agree with the advantage of spiritual maturity in our day. We are faced with so much that distracts and discourages. Many are tempted to abandon their faith or indulge the flesh. Only those who walk close with the Lord enjoy victory. I want to continue to grow and mature in Christ.
B. Our Security (5b) – But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. John reveals our growth and maturity in the Lord is further confirmation of our salvation. As you look back over your life, I trust you are able to see significant spiritual growth. That growth is evidence of your salvation. As you walk with the Lord, according to His Word, you continue to grow and mature in Him.
I suppose intellectual growth and a general knowledge of the Bible could be mistaken for spiritual growth, but you know where you stand with the Lord. If your life is bearing fruit for the Lord, it is bearing evidence of salvation. Christ wants us to live victorious, with absolute assurance of our salvation. It is possible to enjoy security in your Christian walk!
C. Our Conformity (6) – He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. If you are searching for the real litmus test for salvation, I suppose this would be it. Our lives ought to reflect the life of Christ. Our desires and actions should reflect those of the Savior. We all have areas of weakness and moments when we struggle, but the Christian will reflect the Savior. It will be evident for us and others to see. When we walk with the Lord, in a way that pleases Him, there won’t be any question regarding our salvation.
Conformity to Christ is a huge benefit for the believer. Our maturity in Him brings closer fellowship with Him. Our lives are lived in light of His holiness rather than the desires of the flesh. We enjoy continual guidance and communion with the Lord. That type of life is noticed of others. If we are to reach the world for Christ, we must be genuine in our walk. We will never be an effective witness if our lives don’t reflect Christ! John 15:4-5 – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Conclusion: I am sure you are well aware of the struggles we face. Living for the Lord was never promised to be a life of ease. There is much we face that brings temptation, distraction, and discouragement to our lives. Inevitably we will fail and come short. However, we do not have to live in defeat. We can overcome and live victorious in Christ. He is more than able to supply what we need while walking this journey of life.
There is victory in Jesus, but only for those who belong to Him. We can live in full assurance of our salvation and impact the world around us for the Lord. If you are struggling with security or particular battles in life, seek the Lord. He wants you to be productive for Him, enjoying close fellowship on a daily basis. If you have never been saved, Jesus desires to save you. He wants you to make the journey with Him as well.
