October 30, 2022 -- I John 2:1 -- Going back to the beautiful basics
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
I John 2:1 ESV
Yesterday I listened to a C.H. Spurgeon sermon on this very text. What an encouragement it was. The main points, as I remember them, were:
We are sinners. Anyone who thinks he is not a sinner is not aware of his own heart’s condition. Spurgeon gave a beautiful illustration. A room may seem clean, until a ray of sunlight comes in through a window and reveals the millions upon millions dust particles dancing and rising in the light. So it is with our hearts, until we know the light of Jesus Christ, our sins may not be obvious to us.
Jesus is the Advocate. He prays for sinners. Unless one knows the depths of his own sinfulness, he won’t know the merciful intercession of Jesus made on his behalf.
His Name is Jesus. His very name means he saves from sin.
He is the Christ. This is the work God anointed Him to do. There is no other salvation. There is no other person or place or thing to which one can go for salvation.
He is righteous and those who saves are not righteous or pure. The very scriptures point out that Jesus came to save sinners. Those who think themselves righteous or pure or good cannot imagine they need a Savior.
These words blessed and refreshed my soul as I heard them. Earlier in the day yesterday I was leading a bible study with two men who are rather new to the faith. As I taught them the basics, I realized all over again what a blessing it is to go over the foundations of the faith. The Father chooses to love those whom He elects in His love. The Son, in obedience to the Father’s love, is prepared to suffer so that sinners may be brought close to their Father in heaven. He was crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). The Spirit of God is given so that ordinary men and women, captured by the Father’s love, will not break away from His love; but will be held in His restraining love until Jesus returns and sin and death are fully and finally defeated, and believers will have the perfected capacity to respond to our Father’s love. Hallelujah! What a Savior. Honour and praise, worship and blessing be to our God, now and forever more.
Our Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of Sunday--a sanctuary in time wherein Your people can rest in Your love and be renewed in this precious faith. Blessed Jesus, Who is a Friend like You? You are faithful in Your steadfast love. You are gracious in Your persistent prayers on behalf of sinners who have been appointed for life. Spirit of God thank You for Your work to restrain our sins, to guard us in the love of Christ for the glory of the Father. Triune God, deepen our faith this Sunday. Blessed LORD of Glory, may Your Name be declared far and wide across Canada and across this world so that many will come and worship You, receiving new life in Jesus. Bless Your preachers and evangelists, missionaries and chaplains so that the Word will go out with power this day and accomplish the purpose for which You send it out. Amen.
https://youtu.be/rJXIugwiN7Q
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