Introduction: John has reminded us that we shouldn’t pursue sin but that we all have it and that we need to take God at His Word when He reveals it to us. As we move to chapter 2, John is not done talking about sin. 1a My little children, • John uses an endearing term like a father speaks to a child because they are acting like children in their understanding of sin and their willingness to walk as believers. 1b these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. • “Don’t sin” is not a suggestion but a strong command. • , and are strong motivators against sin but they are not perfect. 1c And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. • The Greek word for “if” could be translated . • Sin should not be our pursuit but it is still a problem that arises in our life. • Our advocate is our who pleads our case. • Satan is our accuser or the . • Our advocate is , the righteous, who will represent us according to the truth which He fully knows. 2a And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, • Propitiation is what is to atone for or to satisfy the demands of the law. • Our advocate, Jesus, has Himself the demands of the court. • This is what we call atonement (2 Cor 5:21). 2b and not for ours only but also for the whole world. • This payment is to any and all who will be believe. • There is no sin that the of Christ cannot forgive. • There is no heart that He cannot . The question that we all must answer is simple: Have you accepted the payment that Jesus has paid on your behalf.