My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. 2 He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. 3 The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: 6 whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived.
John addresses his audience as children showing pastoral concern for their spiritual well-being and urges them not to sin. Acknowledging that all humans sin (1 Jn. 1:8; Eccl. 7:20), John tells them that they have an Advocate (paraklētos in Greek) with the Father, referring to Jesus who can intercede for them with the Father. Because of his righteousness, Jesus Christ can be an advocate for them, a mediator between God and mankind. The title “Advocate”(Jn. 14:16) is also used to refer to the Holy Spirit. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross served to atone for the sins of humanity, reconciling mankind with God and removing both the guilt and punishment associated with sin. Salvation is offered to all humanity through Christ.
If they profess to know (love) Christ, they will obey his commandments and his transformative power will work within them, leading them to follow his teachings obediently (Jn. 14:15). If they do not obey God’s commandments then their knowledge of Christ is superficial and their claims are untrue. Their moral conduct will reflect their relationship with Jesus. If they know Jesus then they will be obedient as Jesus was and the love of God and love of neighbor will be brought to perfection in them. Obedience to Christ's word leads to the perfection of God's love in believers. If they claim to abide in Christ they should walk as he walked and strive to emulate his example of righteousness, humility, and sacrificial love (Mt. 16:24).
Almighty God, grant us the grace to abide in Jesus our Advocate and Expiation for sins. Help us to walk in obedience to his commandments, knowing that through him, your love is brought to perfection in us. May we follow his example and live according to his word. This we pray through the same Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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