“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1
Do you see the paradox in this verse? Does it sound like it contradicts itself? What is John talking about? On one hand he says do not sin while on the other hand saying that it is ok if you sin because we have one who speaks in our defense. How do you reconcile the two concepts?
If you understand the difference between forgiveness and permission, you won’t have difficulty with this verse. If, however, you claim to be a Christian and you don’t understand the difference between forgiveness and permission, you are in big trouble.
There are people who take God’s forgiveness as permission, license if you will, to sin. Watch out! This is a widespread disease. You don’t want to get it. It is like playing with fire. Understanding that forgiveness is not a license is crucial to maintaining a healthy relationship with the Lord. God hates sin so much that he was willing to give his one and only Son to get rid of it.
Forgiveness is not permission,
The Cyber Evangelist |