Do You Have a Go-Between?

In verse 1, John tells us why he's writing: to keep us from sin. Staying far from sin keeps us close to God. It's not a list of rules to avoid — it helps us pursue righteousness and escape the consequences of sin. Sin always has a payday. It may be pleasurable for a season and promise something good, but it never delivers, and it always leads to destruction and death.

The truth is, if we sin, we have an Advocate — a go-between with God the Father, the Almighty Creator of the universe. Our Advocate is Jesus Christ, the righteous, the only one who never sinned or disobeyed God. If I offended my best friend, it would be my job to go to him and ask forgiveness. With God it's the opposite: we're the ones who offended Him, yet He initiated the reconciliation. He didn't send a plan, or someone to tell us about Him — He sent Himself, His only begotten Son.

That's why verse 2 says Jesus is the propitiation — He satisfied the wrath of God. Why does God have wrath? Because He is holy, and holy anger is righteous anger. It's right to be angry about children sold into slavery, or the wickedness in this world. In the same way, God is holy and cannot tolerate sin in His presence. The Amplified Bible says Jesus is righteous, upright, the Just One who conforms to the Father's will in every way — purpose, thought, and action — and that He is the atoning sacrifice holding back the wrath that our sin deserves.

The good news is this isn't just for us, but for anyone who will turn from sin and put it all on Jesus, so they can receive His righteousness in exchange. The proof that someone has done this — that they've gone from death to life — is that they desire to keep God's commandments: to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will do what I say." Anyone who claims to know Him but doesn't do what He says is a liar, and the truth isn't in them.

Verse 6 says whoever claims to abide in Him ought to walk as He walked. He is our Lord, our Savior, and our Teacher, showing us the path of life. As Psalm 16:11 says: "You make known to me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."