The Necessity of Holiness
1 John 2:1–6 (ESV)
[1] 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. [2] He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. [3] And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we 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, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: [6] whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
One of the keys to effective Bible Study is understanding the connection between indicatives and imperatives. An indicative is something that happens to be the case (think of the word “indicate”). An imperative is the thing you should now do based from that indicative. So, if C is the case, I should or must do action X. Here’s an example: My pantry is empty (indicative C) so I need to go shopping for groceries (imperative X).
Opening the second chapter of his epistle, John lays out one massive indicative and one crucial imperative. Look closely at verse 2. “He is the propitiation for our sins…” This statement is the heart of the Gospel. The idea behind the word “propitiation” or, in some translations, “atoning sacrifice” is this: Jesus, on the cross, takes on the just condemnation and punishment of sin on behalf of sinners who will place faith in Him (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 3:21-26). For the one who believes in Jesus, there is nothing to fear regarding the penalty of your sin. It has been dealt with by Jesus. It’s finished (cf. John 19:30). Praise God!
While John says Christ is the propitiation “for the sins of the whole world,” he is not implying some sort of universalism. Scripture plainly teaches that the propitiation of sins occurs only for those who place faith in Christ. If Christ propitiated for the sins of all men everywhere, our evangelism would be in vain. Believing in Jesus would be futile if the sins of those apart from Christ have already been dealt with. They haven’t, and they will face eternal consequences if they do not repent and believe (cf. Romans 1:18-23, Revelation 20:14-15). Therefore, we continually seek to “Pursue People.” So then, we must understand that Christ’s atoning work on the cross is SUFFICIENT to cover the sins of all men, but only EFFICIENT for those who place faith in Him.
Now notice the imperative. Since you’ve placed faith in Christ and, by implication, have had your sins propitiated for, you are now called to commune with God by walking and growing in Holiness (vv. 3-6). Jesus is beckoning us into his fellowship. We experience the joy of that fellowship when we make doing things that are pleasing to Jesus a priority in our lives. “Keeping the commandments” is not meant to be burdensome. It is not meant as means of earning God’s favor. Rather, we keep the commandments because we trust that Jesus knows what is best for us. We trust that He knows what leads to abundant and flourishing life (cf. John 10:10, Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
Unfortunately, there will always be people who claim to be members of God’s covenant people when they are not. These people claim the name of Christ yet blatantly disregard and could care less about His commands. For these, “fake Christians” judgement has been reserved. One day, the weeds (faux-believers) will be separated from the wheat (true believers). (See vv. 3-4, cf. Matthew 13:26-43, John 14:15, Matthew 3:10). Would you carefully, prayerfully, and graciously examine yourself today?
Take heart that you have been empowered for holiness through the work of Jesus. He loves you. He’s beckoning you to walk with Him (v. 6). He’s inviting you into intimacy and fellowship (1 John 1:3). And remember that when you mess up (and you will), you have an Advocate ready to forgive, restore, and woo you into gratitude-driven obedience (v. 1).