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

This is foundational, simple truth.  Sin (not defined here) is at the heart of the issue. Peel off all the layers of theology, psychology, sociology, or whatever, slowly and painstakingly.  What do we find as we look at life that way, as God does? At the root of all “ologies” is the glaring fact of sin, that we are sinners by nature and too often by desire.  Sin is turning our backs on God.  So the whole point about the human condition is what to do with sin?

I find it interesting that I hear nothing about sin in the media or not even much among us believers.  I wonder why it has become an unused word. Maybe we hope that if we do not name it, it is not there at all. Yet, the Bible from one end to the other faces the problem of human sinfulness.  The Bible does not just mention sin in passing but poses our sinful nature as the reason for God’s redeeming work in all times.

Today my dear wife asked for forgiveness for what she felt was a sin against me.  Of course I forgave her at once and completely.  When I feel I have sinned against her it is in reality against God and can be forgiven by the miracle-working power of Christ’s atoning blood. My wife, bless her, leaves me in the dust as she deals with the matter.  Bless her, and may I learn from her.

All true followers of the Lamb have this in common – an awareness of our sinfulness and the answer to its cleansing.  This world has no idea at all what we are talking about.  Mmm.

Our text, John’s words of grace, makes us aware of our sinfulness, no matter what the culture or social situation.  The Blood of Jesus atones for sin “in the whole world.”  That includes me, you and sinners whom we never met.  We have fellowship with God and one another because the power of the Blood of Jesus is imprinted on our souls.  A mystery exposed!