1 John 2:1-4 - So That - You May Not Sin ...

Vs. 2:1 – "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; " - This could be the answer to the verse 6, 8 and 10 problem. In those verses we were warned not to convince ourselves we had not, or did not sin. If so, we deceive ourselves, we make God a liar because He said we have sinned. However, John is encouraging us to not lose heart.
If we belong to Jesus we will not live in sin. We may fall into it, (I do not mean 'accidental sin') but it will not be habitual. When sin happens there is an answer – we are not abandoned. John sent this letter is to help us not sin. We don’t have to blunder through life. We can live life intelligently, with purpose.

“So you may not sin.” - That’s the goal, to live a life for Jesus without sin.
If we do sin, if we don’t make it to the goal, we are not lost. We have an advocate. This is a “legal term” indicating someone who argues a case before a judge, someone who steps forward in my place. If I sin, I do not have to face the wrath of God on my own. I have someone to argue my case before the Judge. The Advocate is none other Jesus the Messiah, the Savior, God the Son. Not some second rate lawyer, or underpaid legal aide. I have the best there is. Jesus Christ the righteous.

If anyone sins (implied: “and they will”) there is a solution. See verse 1:9 – He (Jesus) is faithful and righteous (that word again). We are cleansed and forgiven. We are defended before the Judge, the Father. Jesus is the only one who can stand before the Judge. He paid the price. None of us can come close to meeting the requirements. The Advocate can and does. To say that Jesus argues for us, puts too much emphasis on our adversarial court system. Jesus only needs say, "He is mine." God the Father can say, "That is sufficient." Our adversary is Satan, not God. The Devil is the accuser. He has no answer for Jesus's declaration, and the Father's approval.

Vs. 2:2 – "and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." - And this is how the Advocate meets the requirements. He himself (i.e., Jesus Christ) is the propitiation. “Propitiation” – an atoning sacrifice. A sacrifice is required to meet the penalty for the sin, according to God’s law. Go back to Passover. A sacrifice – the lamb – was slain, the blood was placed on the door jam (lintel). See the day of Atonement in the Law of Moses. And Jesus' death on the cross. If Christ had died for the few only, the believers only, it would seem to be such a high cost. Face it, not every one will take advantage of the atoning sacrifice. 

It has been said that if I were the only person in the world God would have paid the same price – Christ’s death as a payment for the sin. Still, Almighty God, giving Himself for one – seems highly unreasonable. On the other hand, what is few more (believers only) - still the price is too high. What about the whole world? Price still too high. Yet, it was done, paid, finished.

Unfortunately – that is the case. Only God himself can pay the price required. If God is completely holy, if we cannot come into God’s presence if we have sin, if the only payment in full means a perfect sacrifice – that means only a perfect God can meet the perfect cost. Therefore – Jesus HAD to die to pay the penalty. Why could not God forgive without payment? Wouldn’t that be perfectly merciful? But that kind of mercy would flaunt God’s perfect justice. Justice without payment is not justice at all. It is not a matter of being found “not guilty” – that cannot happen.

He Himself - For our sins For the whole world’s sins.

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How we know

Vs. 2:3 – "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments." - This is a change of subject, sort of. This is how we KNOW we know Jesus. Previously, we were claiming (falsely) that we were sinless, past and present. John shows that we have the absolute best Legal Advocate when we do sin. God Himself.

But how can you and I know if we are on the right track? Many times people are committed to a course of action, based on faulty information. Their intentions are good. When you start with a faulty premise, you cannot reach a proper solution.
John lays out a relatively simple test. This is how we can understand, know, perceive, have knowledge. We can be sure we know Jesus. Again, to understand, to perceive, to have knowledge of Him. This is the test: do we keep His commandments? Yes, or no.

We have come to know Him By this…keep His commandments Keeping commandments: know we are in Him, abiding

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Other verses re: commands -
Mrk 7:8 - neglecting God's commands
Mrk 12:28-31 - most important command
Eccl. 12:12-14 - fear God and keep his commands
John 8:31,32 – if you abide in His words, then truly are His disciples, know the truth!
John 13:34 - new commandment - love one another
John 14:15 - love = obey (keep commands)
John 14:21, 23 - love = obey (keep commands)
Jam. 2:14 - faith without works?
Jam. 1:22-25 - hearing without doing
1 Sam. 15:22-23 – “better than sacrifice”
Deut. 5:29 – “Oh, that they would…”
Deut. 6:1-3 - profound reverence of God produces followers

If "I know Him," but do not obey...
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V. 2:4 - The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; -

verses 3, 5 and 6 are all positives to 4’s negative. Verse 4 echos chapter 1:6, 8, and 10.
Basically, an “If..then” statement – “If” we say we know, but don’t live it – “then” we are a liar without the truth.