The Upward Look
© Copyright 2006, Max D. Hutto,

“My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous One.”
1 John 2:1 HCSB ©

John writes with affection and tenderness to believers to tell them they are not to sin. Believers are not to have a lifestyle of habitually continuing to sin. However, if and when they do commit an isolated act of sin, Jesus pleads their case before the Father. Jesus is the intercessor because He is the Christ, the anointed One. He also is the righteous One. Having never sinned, Jesus paid the penalty for all sin on the cross.

Lord Jesus, help me not to sin, but, when I do sin, help me to confess and repent. I am cleansed by Your righteousness.

* (footnotes & credits)

NASB ©
The Bible quotes marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)

HCSB ©
The Bible quotes marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
© Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers (used with permission).

NIV ©
The Bible quotes marked NIV are from the New International Version,
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by The International Bible Society. (used with permission)