1 John 2:1-6 My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father… I. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS COMMAND — "That ye sin not"? The general meaning of the word "sin" is intelligible to all. It is sin to violate the commands of God; but many things beside the direct breach in act of a positive injunction are sin against God. It is sin, according to the language of St. James, if any man "knoweth to do good and doeth it not." Not merely are sinful words condemned, but we are admonished that God regards the state of the heart. The Word of God enlarges the sense of this term beyond what is convenient to the self righteousness of men to allow, and tells us that even ignorance of that which is right may be criminal before Him. The precept which bids us not to sin enjoins upon us that we make ourselves acquainted with what is sin and what is duty. II. Let us weigh well some of those many CONSIDERATIONS WHICH SHOULD INDUCE US DILIGENTLY TO SEEK TO ACCOMPLISH IT PERFECTLY. "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not." 1. We should not sin because God is a holy God and cannot endure sin. It is contrary to His nature, to His perfections, to His supremacy. It would involve the universe in ruin if permitted. 2. We should not sin, because that Saviour by whom we hope to reach eternal happiness hates sin. It dishonours Him amongst men. 3. Let us take care not to sin, because by that we grieve and we quench the Holy Spirit. 4. Again, we should not sin because sin indulged involves the soul in everlasting ruin. 5. That even if sin did not impair the hopes that a Christian entertains, it is certain to diminish the glorious reward which remains for those who serve Christ. 6. Moreover, in sinning we separate ourselves from communion with Him altogether while the sin lasts. 7. Let us recollect that when we sin against God we sin against our fellow creatures too, because it is almost certain that our own sins involve others in our guilt and lead them to sin too. (B. W. Noel, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: |
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