My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 

I’m only covering one verse tonight. It’s not even a long one, but it is extremely potent and a just a bit more than trifling. John explains a bit as to why he is writing his letter. “So that you will not sin.” Wow. I don’t know about you, but that hit me like a tonne (read: 2,205 lbs) of bricks the first time I saw it. So we’re not supposed to sin. This topic tends to ruffle feathers. Is it possible for us not to sin? I believe that through Christ who gives us strength, it is possible. Is is plausible? Will we not sin? Well I won’t be holding my breath.This is where the second part of the verse comes in. Know what an advocate is? I had a loose understanding, but I decided to look it up anyhow, and here’s what the New Oxford American Dictionary has to say: a person who pleads on someone else’s behalf. If we do sin, Jesus, the Righteous One, will act on our behalf and support us when our turn comes to report in.–AD