Page 14 - September 2026 - Truth & Tidings

New Covenant point to a glorious future of His precious blood on behalf of believ-
for Israel (Jer 31:31-34), but the blessings ers who have erred. God is the righteous
also flow out to us presently in the Church judge, we are the guilty, and Christ rep-
(Mat 26:28). We rejoice that the Lord has resents us. As our defense counsel, He
declared, “Their sins and iniquities will I appeals on our behalf “before the bar of
remember no more” (Heb 8:12; 10:17). Yes, God.” Our forgiveness is made possible
we are included! because of His substitutionary death in
Christ As Our Advocate (1Jn bearing the penalty of our sins.
Others view John’s first epistle primarily
2:1) in a family setting (contrasting with Paul’s
Christians cannot claim sinless perfec- forensic treatment of sin and justification
tion. They still sin but it is not their habit when writing to the Romans). In 1 John,
to do so; they must not regard sin lightly. believers are described as “sons” who
Whereas the solid silver chain of redemp- know fellowship with God as “Father”
tion can never be severed – once saved, (1:3; 3:1-2). They also have fellowship with
saved for ever – the slender golden chain
of fellowship and communion with God one another, individually as a “brother”
is more fragile and can easily be broken and corporately as “the children of God”
by carelessness, selfishness and sin. How- or “brethren” (3:10,16). Furthermore, the
ever, there remains a wonderful answer to intimacy of John’s writing leads him to re-
restore this fellowship. For us today, the fer frequently to his recipients in a tender
abiding value of the shed blood of Christ and affectionate way as “little children”
covers all sins and goes on cleansing us, (2:1,18,28).
even after conversion (1Jn 1:7-9). The Lord Jesus is truly our Paraclete in
Two things are clear from these verses coming to our side to help us in our need.
in their context. Firstly, there is what we When we have fallen in sin, as disobedient
must do when we become conscious of the children we are estranged from our Father.
sins we have committed: We are to confess Figuratively speaking, Christ draws near,
them. Repentance is always implied in encourages us to get back on our feet
true confession. Secondly, we realise what again, and leads us back to the Father in
Christ has done at Calvary: His perfect confession and repentance. Our accep-
sacrifice (“for the whole world”) and the tance, forgiveness and the subsequent
shedding of His blood have dealt with the restoration of family fellowship are based
sin question. Full and free forgiveness is on Christ’s acceptance before the Father
ours. He answered every claim to the full and our relationship to His Son.
satisfaction of a holy God, and this is what
is meant by “propitiation” (1Jn 2:2). God How privileged we are to have our ev-
raised Him from the dead and has highly ery need – past, present and future – met
exalted Him to His own right hand. in Christ, our beloved Saviour. He alone
There are at least two views as to the is the worthy One.
significance of the word “advocate” in this Worthy of homage and of praise;
passage. Some view this ongoing work of Worthy by all to be adored. 2
Christ in a legal or courtroom setting, in
which He continues to plead the merits 2 F.T. Wigram

270 TRUTH kTidings Sepember 2026