Quinquagesima

I John 2:1-17 , focus vs 1-2    Quinquagesima  ( alternate 1928 BCP Epistle Reading)

   One little word breaks our fellowship with God and exists in our very being and nature. We are all born with original sin in this world and although that is removed by the regenerating power of the Holy Ghost we never are perfect in this life until we get to heaven.  Sin is evident in our lives.  No one in this world is untouched by its effects. 1:9 of the letter said that ," if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." So sin can be erased.  But John would not have us treat sin lightly. 

2:1 " I am writing these things to you that you may not sin."  Do not sin.  Jesus called His followers, " little children" Jn 13:33  as he does in the I Jn 2:1. We are enabled by God to have a child-like faith in Him. 

" Many years ago a passenger ship made its way toward the harbour at Plymouth, England. The weather during the journey had been excellent, so the vessel would be landing ahead of schedule, at night instead of morning. This upset a number of the passengers. Many of them had never been to England, and they were troubled because they had to change their train connections or get unexpected hotel reservations. The little children on board, however , never worried for a moment. They continued to run, laugh and play---unaffected by altered plans. Why were they so calm? They had childlike faith in the wisdom and love of their parents."

Because of God's redeeming love we are His children and the evidence of that love should shine forth in our lives as well. John talks about the tests of eternal life in his letter.  We as Christians should practice righteousness 2:28-29 " ye know that every one that does righteousness is born if him.";the responsibility of love "my little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." 3:18;and the confession of the Son in faith 2:23 " he that acknowledgeth the Son has the Father also."

Our attitude toward sin should be one of watchful care. Eph 1:4 " He chose us before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before Him." Gal 1:4 " He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world."

The holiness of God is to be seen in every believer's life as RC Sproul tells the following true story in his book, The Holiness of God.

" A well-known professional golfer was playing in a tournament with ( the then President Jerry Ford), fellow pro Jack Nicklaus and Billy Graham. After the round was over, one of the other pros on the tour asked, ' Hey what was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?' The pro said with disgust, ' I don't need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!'  With that he headed for the practice tee.  His friend followed, and after the golfer had pounded out his fury on a bucket of golf balls, he asked, ' Was Billy a little rough on you out there?' The pro sighed and said with embarrasment, ' No, he didn't even mention religion.' "

Sproul commented, " Astonishingly , Billy Graham had said nothing about God, Jesus or religion, yet the pro stomped away after the game accusing Billy of trying to ram religion down his throat. " What had happened?" Simply this: the evangelist had so reflected Christlikeness that his presence made the pro feel uncomfortable."

Every time we sin we are doing something God hates. Zechariah 8:17- " And let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these are what I hate declares the Lord."

Jonathan Edwards said , " Resolved, never to do anything which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life."

2. When we sin , forgiveness and restoration are found in Jesus Christ the righteous.

The word there for advocate talking about our Lord is paraclete and means literally " called alongside". Jesus is our comforter and is called alongside us to defend us. It is also a title for the Holy Spirit in John 14:16. ( I John by John Stott)

We can be too severe toward sin. Forgiveness is possible through Christ.  He is the propitiation for our sins---this qualitifies Him to be our Advocate. 1:7 " the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."

" Our Advocate does not plead that we are innocent or adduce extenuating circumstances. He acknowledges our guilt and presents His vicarious work as the ground of our acquittal." John Stott

Psalm 103 :8-14 ---as far as the east is from the west , so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Corrie Ten Boom while speaking in Munich, a former prison guard came up to her after the session " How grateful I am for your message, Fraulein. To think that Jesus has washed my sins away."

She said this, " As I took his hand, the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love...that almost overwhelmed me."

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.