His Unfinished Work
Through Jesus Christ, we can live without sin and stand before God as righteous, despite our sinful nature.
Theodore Epp emphasizes the significance of Christ's role as our advocate in 'His Unfinished Work,' explaining that while John sets a high standard against sin, we often fall short. He reassures believers that when we do sin, we have Jesus Christ, the righteous, who intercedes for us before the Father, shielding us from condemnation. Epp highlights that our righteousness comes from Christ alone, allowing us to stand justified before God despite our shortcomings. This message encourages believers to rely on Christ's finished work and His ongoing intercession.
Text
1 John 2:1-6
First John 2:1 could be translated: "These things write I unto you that ye do not commit a single act of sin." John was not dealing with habitual sin but with single acts of sin. This is a high standard, and you may wonder if it is possible for a child of God to successfully live this way. We need to realize what Christ has actually done for us.
In the light of our experience, however, this may well cause us to despair, for we realize that we do commit acts of sin. The next phrase in 1 John 2:1 says, "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." When we do commit an act of sin and Satan would accuse us before the Father, there is no way he can reach us because we stand before God in the righteousness of Christ, "even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference" (Rom. 3:22). So Jesus has become our righteousness, and He stands in the presence of God on our behalf.
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:34).
Sermon Outline
- Understanding the High Standard of 1 John 2:1
- The Reality of Sin in Our Lives
- The Power of Jesus' Righteousness
- The Condemnation of Sin
- Christ died and rose again
- He is at the right hand of God
Key Quotes
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” — Theodore Epp
“Jesus has become our righteousness, and He stands in the presence of God on our behalf” — Theodore Epp
“There is no difference” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- We must understand the high standard of living that Christ has set for us, and strive to live according to it.
- When we commit acts of sin, we must remember that Jesus stands in our place before God and makes intercession for us.
- Faith in Jesus Christ is the key to overcoming sin and condemnation, and to standing before God as righteous.