1 John 2:1-6 NIV
My Dear Children
In 1 John 2:1-6, the apostle John writes to his dear children, emphasizing the importance of knowing God and obeying His commandments.
Verse 1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Here, John addresses his audience as "my dear children," expressing his affection and concern for their spiritual well-being. He reassures them that he writes to prevent them from sinning, but if they do sin, they can have confidence in Jesus Christ, their advocate with the Father.
Verse 2
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
John reminds them that Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for their sins, not just theirs, but for the sins of the entire world. This universal scope of Jesus' sacrifice reinforces the idea that God's love is for all people.
Verse 3
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
John emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commandments as evidence of truly knowing Him. This is a recurring theme in 1 John, highlighting the significance of living a life that honors God.
Verse 4
Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
In contrast, John warns that if someone claims to know God but disregards His commandments, they are deceiving themselves, and the truth is not in them.
Verse 5
But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:
Here, John asserts that genuine love for God is demonstrated by obeying His word. This obedience is a hallmark of being in a right relationship with God.
Verse 6
whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
Finally, John emphasizes that those who claim to live in Christ must mirror Jesus' life, exemplifying His character and values.
In this passage, John stresses the importance of knowing God through obedience to His commandments, rather than mere claims of faith. He reassures his audience of Jesus' role as their advocate and emphasizes the universal scope of His sacrifice. By living according to God's word, believers can be confident in their relationship with Him.
