JOHN

He was very old when the following letter was written; perhaps the last of his generation and the only one still alive who had actually walked and talked with Jesus. The first thing to note in this passage is the fatherly sentiment John shows to those young in the faith ... 

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

Now that I am 'advanced in years', I sometimes find myself being impatient with less seasoned believers (maybe because they remind me of my own youthful waywardness that hindered spiritual growth). Not so with John ... his heart was tender. 

He admonished them to avoid sin, but not with a critical tone. There was no cutting edge to his appeal; John sought only to love them 'into goodness'. He displayed the compassion associated with that of a loving pastor who patiently encourages the followers of Christ ... despite their moral stumbling.

But his message was still pointed ... 

There is no need to sin, no right to sin, no compromise with sin, no license to sin ... but there remains a Provision when we do. On board a ship, the availability of a lifeboat is not associated with any intention to have a shipwreck, but it is there in case of need. Christ is our Advocate with the Father 'in case of need'. 

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

For those of us who have wrestled with the meaning of certain verses in the Bible, John's writings bring beautiful clarity. His loving demeanor makes the disciplines of Christianity more palatable. 

He unveils a divine spiritual balance that has Jesus Christ as the perfect 'fulcrum'.