Walking the Narrow Path: Sin, Forgiveness, and Assurance
Summary
In our journey through 1 John, we have been exploring the profound assurance of eternal life that John desires for all believers. This assurance is woven from several strands, and today we focus on two critical truths that guide us along a narrow path between two dangerous cliffs: acquiescing in sin and despairing over sin. John emphasizes that while sin remains in us, God forgives our sins. However, these truths must be held together to avoid spiritual pitfalls.
Firstly, God calls us not to sin. John writes with the intent that we may not sin, echoing the words of Jesus, "Sin no more." This call to holiness is not merely about being forgiven but about living transformed lives under the authority of Christ. The Gospel is not just about forgiveness; it is about becoming a new creation, living a life that reflects the righteousness of Christ. Every truth, including the call to holiness, is open to abuse if isolated from other truths. Therefore, we must hold this call alongside the truth of God's provision for when we do sin.
Secondly, God has provided for when we sin. Jesus is our Advocate and the propitiation for our sins. As our Advocate, Jesus pleads on our behalf, not by denying our sin or offering excuses, but by presenting His sacrifice as the full payment for our sins. This propitiation satisfies the justice of God, ensuring that His wrath is spent on Christ and not on us. This truth assures us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ, and it is the greatest expression of God's love.
John's message is clear: do not let the truth of God's forgiveness lead you to become comfortable with sin, nor let the reality of sin lead you to despair. Instead, walk the narrow path of pursuing holiness while resting in the assurance of Christ's advocacy and propitiation. Jesus offers Himself to all who will come out of darkness and into the light, providing a way to be reconciled with God.
Key Takeaways:
- Gospel Clarity and Fellowship with God: Assurance of eternal life begins with gospel clarity, particularly in understanding our fellowship with God. Walking in the light means becoming more aware of our sins and having a deep desire to overcome them. This awareness is a sign of true fellowship with God. [03:15]
- The Danger of Acquiescing in Sin: One danger is becoming comfortable with sin, thinking that since God forgives, we can remain in sin. This is a distortion of the Gospel. True faith leads to a transformed life, not just forgiveness. [05:30]
- The Danger of Despairing Over Sin: The opposite danger is despairing over our sin, feeling unworthy of God's love. John assures us that Jesus is our Advocate, and His sacrifice is sufficient for our sins, providing hope and assurance. [06:33]
- Jesus as Our Advocate and Propitiation: Jesus defends us not by denying our sin but by presenting His sacrifice as the full payment. This propitiation satisfies God's justice, ensuring no condemnation for those in Christ. [22:37]
- The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice: Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for all who come to Him. He offers Himself as Advocate and propitiation to anyone willing to receive Him, providing a way to be reconciled with God. [38:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to 1 John
- [01:08] - Gospel Clarity and Fellowship
- [02:22] - The Reality of Sin
- [03:49] - Twin Truths of Sin and Forgiveness
- [04:50] - The Danger of Acquiescing in Sin
- [06:01] - The Danger of Despairing Over Sin
- [07:31] - Walking the Narrow Ridge
- [08:53] - God's Call to Holiness
- [12:11] - Jesus' Command: Sin No More
- [14:16] - The New Creation in Christ
- [17:00] - The Abuse of Isolated Truths
- [19:51] - God's Provision for Sin
- [22:37] - Jesus as Our Advocate
- [26:50] - Understanding Propitiation
- [33:16] - The Love of God in Propitiation
- [38:46] - The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice
- [40:33] - Invitation to Receive Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 1:5-10
2. 1 John 2:1-2
3. John 8:11
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Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 John 1:5-6 say about the nature of God and our fellowship with Him? How does this relate to walking in the light? [01:28]
2. According to 1 John 1:8, what does John say about the presence of sin in our lives? How does this verse challenge the idea of being sinless? [02:40]
3. In 1 John 2:1, what is the purpose of John's writing, and how does it relate to sin? [09:17]
4. How does John describe Jesus' role as our Advocate and propitiation in 1 John 2:1-2? What does this mean for believers? [20:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call to "sin no more" in John 8:11 relate to the message in 1 John 2:1 about not sinning? What does this imply about the transformation expected in a believer's life? [12:11]
2. What are the dangers of becoming comfortable with sin, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this relate to the assurance of forgiveness? [05:30]
3. How does the concept of Jesus as our Advocate provide assurance against despair over sin? What does this reveal about God's love and justice? [22:37]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that isolating truths can lead to spiritual pitfalls? How can believers ensure they hold these truths together? [15:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current walk with God. Are there areas where you might be "walking in darkness"? How can you step into the light this week? [01:45]
2. Have you ever found yourself becoming comfortable with certain sins because of the assurance of forgiveness? How can you actively pursue holiness in those areas? [05:30]
3. When you feel despair over your sin, how can you remind yourself of Jesus' role as your Advocate? What practical steps can you take to rest in this assurance? [06:33]
4. Think about a time when you isolated a truth from other biblical truths. How did it affect your spiritual journey? How can you ensure a balanced understanding of Scripture moving forward? [15:25]
5. Identify a specific sin you struggle with. What steps can you take to confess and seek cleansing from it, as encouraged in 1 John 1:9? [03:49]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of Jesus' sacrifice as the propitiation for your sins? What impact does this have on your daily life and relationship with God? [26:50]
7. Consider someone in your life who may not know Jesus as their Advocate. How can you share the message of His advocacy and propitiation with them this week? [39:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Assurance Through Gospel Clarity
Understanding our fellowship with God is foundational to our assurance of eternal life. Walking in the light involves becoming more aware of our sins and developing a deep desire to overcome them. This awareness is not a sign of failure but a sign of true fellowship with God. It is through this clarity of the Gospel that we begin to see the transformative power of Christ in our lives. As we grow in our relationship with God, we are called to live in a way that reflects His holiness and righteousness. [03:15]
1 John 1:6-7 (ESV): "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of your sins today, and how can this awareness deepen your fellowship with God?
Day 2: The Peril of Comfort in Sin
One of the dangers highlighted is becoming comfortable with sin, thinking that since God forgives, we can remain in sin. This is a distortion of the Gospel. True faith leads to a transformed life, not just forgiveness. The call to holiness is about living a life that reflects the righteousness of Christ, not merely resting in the assurance of forgiveness. It is crucial to hold the truth of God's forgiveness alongside the call to holiness to avoid spiritual complacency. [05:30]
1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you might be too comfortable with sin. What steps can you take today to pursue holiness in that area?
Day 3: Hope in the Face of Sin
The opposite danger is despairing over our sin, feeling unworthy of God's love. John assures us that Jesus is our Advocate, and His sacrifice is sufficient for our sins, providing hope and assurance. This truth is a reminder that no matter how deep our sin, God's grace is deeper still. Jesus stands as our Advocate, presenting His sacrifice as the full payment for our sins, ensuring that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. [06:33]
Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed by your sin, how can you remind yourself of Jesus' advocacy and the sufficiency of His sacrifice?
Day 4: Jesus, Our Advocate and Propitiation
Jesus defends us not by denying our sin but by presenting His sacrifice as the full payment. This propitiation satisfies God's justice, ensuring no condemnation for those in Christ. It is the greatest expression of God's love, offering us a way to be reconciled with Him. This assurance allows us to walk the narrow path of pursuing holiness while resting in the assurance of Christ's advocacy and propitiation. [22:37]
1 John 2:1-2 (ESV): "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
Reflection: How does knowing Jesus is your Advocate change the way you approach God in prayer and confession today?
Day 5: The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice
Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for all who come to Him. He offers Himself as Advocate and propitiation to anyone willing to receive Him, providing a way to be reconciled with God. This sufficiency is a source of immense comfort and assurance, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. It invites us to live in the light, free from the bondage of sin and guilt, and to embrace the new life offered through Christ. [38:46]
Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."
Reflection: Reflect on the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. How can this truth empower you to live a life that is holy and blameless before God today?
Quotes
Assurance is really a cord that is woven from several strands and the first of these strands is what we've been focused on in 1 John and chapter 1 and that is that we gain gospel Clarity this is where John begins as he lays out for us how we can be sure. [00:00:57]
The clearest evidence that a person really is walking in the light is that precisely because you are walking in the light you become more aware of your own sins rather than less so and you have a deep desire to overcome them. [00:03:15]
There are two very obvious dangers here as John presents these vital truths to us one is that God's gracious forgiveness should lead us to acques with remaining sin and the other is that remaining sin should lead us to Despair and John wants to guard us against both of these dangers. [00:06:33]
God calls us not to sin and the second is that God has provided for when we sin first God calls us not to sin and I want us to feel the force of the first sentence in 1 John Chapter 2 my little children I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. [00:08:53]
Jesus Christ did not die on the cross so that we could remain in our sins Peter says this very clearly he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that's what he did why did he do it well Peter says that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. [00:13:16]
Every truth is open to abuse and the easiest way to abuse a truth is to isolate it from other truths that belong beside it and our enemy The Devil is highly skilled in abusing truth you remember that he had the audacity to tempt the Lord Jesus Christ by quoting scripture. [00:15:12]
The defense that Jesus offers as our Advocate is not that we are innocent and it is not that there are mitigating circumstances that excuse our sin the defense that Jesus offers is that the price of our sin has been paid and friends this is the most marvelous good news. [00:22:37]
The wrath of God towards sin can be poured out in such a way that when it is poured out it is spent and friends that takes us to the very heart of what Jesus Christ has accomplished on the cross the Divine wrath Divine Justice the penalty for our sins has been poured out on Jesus. [00:31:48]
John wants us to understand that the propitiation supremely was an unfolding of God's Love in This is Love not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins do you see what he's saying you want to know what love is look here. [00:33:16]
Jesus offers himself self to you as your Advocate and as your propitiation he offers himself to you as your savior as your lord as your King Jesus Christ will be yours if you will have him and if he does not become your Advocate and if he does not become your propitiation. [00:38:46]
Grant that in the sure knowledge of the marvelous provision that you have made for us in Christ we may with great diligence pursue the life to which you have called us until the day when faith is turned to sight and we enter into all the joy for which Jesus Christ himself has redeemed us. [00:41:46]
Our father father we thank you today for The Marvelous Grace that we find in and through the Lord Jesus Christ please in your mercy keep us from the cliff edges of acquiescing over our sin and of despairing over our sin and Grant that in the sure knowledge of the marvelous provision. [00:43:55]
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