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 (1 John 2:1, emphasis added).

Do you need to sin? Is it inevitable? John didn’t think so.

Addressing his spiritual children, John explained that he wrote to them “so that you will not sin” (aor. subj. act). He wasn’t saying they didn’t need to live a lifestyle of sin. He was claiming they didn’t need to commit any specific act of sin at all. John’s purpose in writing is to encourage his children to avoid even a single sinful act.

Apparently, that’s possible.

In fact, it’s not only possible, it’s John’s pastoral expectation for them, though it's not guaranteed or automatic. It's a possibility they can realize.

While I strongly believe in salvation by faith apart from works—I've been contending for that doctrine since I first believed it at seventeen—I also believe in practical holiness. However, that conviction has come to me more recently. To be honest, I still struggle with it.

For a long time, I thought Luther’s dictum simul justus et peccator—simultaneously just and sinner—was true and meant that we’ll be practical sinners until the day we die. I believed that Jesus delivers us from the penalty of sin in justification and will deliver us from the presence of sin at our resurrection and glorification. Still, I doubted there was any real hope for Jesus to deliver us from the power of sin in this life. As one of my favorite theologians said, “Sanctification is the art of getting used to justification.” In other words, sanctification consists of getting used to the idea that we can only be declared holy but will never become holy in this life.

But if that were true—if it were true that practical holiness wasn't a real possibility—then John wouldn't write to his children “so that you will not sin.”

Whatever sins you may be struggling with, whether it is a pattern of sin, or particular acts of sin, you might think your case is hopeless and that you’ll forever be under sin’s power. As I turn to verses such as 1 John 2:1, I can tell you that’s a lie. Holiness is possible and expected, though not guaranteed. You don’t need to sin. Sin isn't your master; Jesus is (cf. Rom 6:1-14).

However, if you do sin, then John gives you this pastoral comfort:

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

Why can Jesus be your continual advocate? Because He Himself is (pres. act. ind.)—as a present ongoing reality—the “atoning sacrifice” that turns away God’s wrath on sin. His death has that ongoing effect. You may commit sin in a moment, but Jesus remains your advocate and covering.

If you sin, don’t despair. Christ hasn’t abandoned you—He’s still for you. Get back up, run to Him, and keep fighting the good fight for holiness.

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Send your questions or comments to shawn@freegrace.in.

Read his latest book, The Myth of Tithing and the Joy of Grace Giving by getting it from us or from Amazon.