1 John 2 reminds me of Sears blue jeans. Growing up in a big family meant hand-me-down clothes, so my pants did not always fit me. New dungarees were rare. They were stiff and uncomfortable until they were broken-in, but the focus was durability, over style. Today’s lesson is about conforming. John begins: “I write this to you so that you will not sin.” He knows we cannot be sinless. I believe he means we should avoid a pattern of sinful behavior. His next sentence is the good news for everyone torn up by destructive lifestyles: “We have an advocate with the Father- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” This word “advocate” is a legal term for a person that pleads on our behalf before the judge. John explains that Jesus is also “the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” This means a complete substitution; exchanging His life to pay the penalty for ours. Our forgiveness was purchased by His blood. John says, if we know Him we will “keep His commands.” We’ve been set free to live a new life filled with gratitude. We become an example to the world; His righteousness in us should be apparent to all. He continues: “I am not writing you a new command but an old one.” Atonement goes back to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). John adds: “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.” Hate seeks to harm and destroy. John says if someone hates their brother or sister: “They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.” Hate blinds us to human compassion.
John wrote much about love, and here he offers some helpful parameters. “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” He is not talking about the beauty of nature. He defines the source of all temptation: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes… from the world.” There is nothing new under the sun. We are all subject to these same seductions. We desire what looks good, feels good, or makes us appear more special. There is massive pressure to conform to the fashionable trends of the world. John adds another unchangeable reality: “The world and its desires pass away.” Time marches on and it takes everything with it. Our hope is in the promise of eternity.
The chapter closes with completely new priorities for the follower of Christ. John says: “this is the last hour.” We are to live with an expectation that Christ will return soon. John adds another puzzle piece: “the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.” I believe these are people that Satan uses to turn hearts away from the atonement of Christ. Sadly, some are church leaders. John says that some have left the church. Hurt feelings, betrayals, and disappointment have more to do with human frailty then an ineffective advocate. To those that have received the Holy Spirit, John adds: “you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” There is a danger in following the personality of the preacher. John asks and answers the central purpose of his letter: “Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.” John adds the one thing that allows the worn out to endure through trials: “See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.” We rely on the strength of the written Word of God. We are not promised happiness, or prosperity, or even popularity. John says: “He promised us—eternal life.” John knows that the Christian life can sometimes feel uncomfortable. It is much easier to just go along with fashionable trends. John explains: “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.” The world offers temporary fixes for short-term happiness, but always, the payment is still due with interest. The chapter concludes: “now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.” The righteousness that first feels rigid is very durable. Our steadiness gives confidence to others. Are you being conformed to this world, or transformed by the renewing of your mind? Friend, what are you handing down to the next generation?