The Basis of Christian Assurance(2)
We began a series on the book of 1 John. The overall theme of this book is Christian certainty. Last time we looked at Walking in the Light & today we forge ahead to;
1 JOHN 2:1–2.
Introduction: The Apostle now seems to anticipate one of the attendant dangers of having established the fact of sin and the importance of being honest about it; i.e. the danger of giving in to it and accepting it as an inevitable part of life. So v.1 (Note the tender form of address) “I am writing this to you so that you may not sin” RSV. BUT if any man sin there is the Divine answer to sin.
The Divine Answer to Sin.
v1. An Advocate with the Father. One Who pleads our case and adds His merit. A successful representative at the bar of Justice. He is Jesus Christ the Righteous”. Since He is righteous, He alone is qualified to plead our case.
V2. He successfully pleads our case. AND (as well as the Advocate) He is the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation is a most important word, but to many moderns it is offensive. It carries the idea of appeasement of wrath or anger. The RSV modifies it without authority to “expiation” which emphasises the manward side of the Atonement — “takes away our sin”.
The meaning of Propitiation.
“Propitiation” emphasises the Godward Side — the effect of the atonement on God (cf Romans 3:25) — it turns aside wrath. In the Old & New Testament God is revealed as being “vigorously opposed to evil”. The sinner is subject to His wrath. He is in the wrong with God. He deserves and can expect nothing but the divine judgment (cf. Romans 1:18). The wrath of God, His righteous anger against sin hangs over all men. Christ’s saving work includes deliverance from this wrath. He turns away the wrath of God by the sacrifice of Himself, thus totally satisfying the divine justice. Because He is the propitiation for our sins, God deals with His people in mercy rather than wrath.
“It should be understood that pardon is not some thing wrung from an unwilling deity. It is the gracious gift of God who is willing to give” (Leon Morris). In His amazing grace He gives us His only begotten Son in order that by satisfying His own justice (which is absolute) He can display mercy. He is “faithful and just” (1 John 1:9).
v 2b. The work of Christ is effective not only for believers in the past and present “but for the sins of all who shall hereafter believe on Him or come to God through Him” (Matthew Henry).
Taken from Bible Notes; The entrance of thy words giveth light; May 1978, of Geneva Road Baptist Church: K.Maudsley, Birmingham
