July 16

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

Memorize this Verse:
Cover the verse text and using just the first letters of each word try to recite the entire passage.
1. M L C T T W I U Y T Y S N A I A M S W H A A W T F J C T R

Notes on verse:

“My little children” indicates John’s deep concern for his readers. In preceding verses, he had been concerned with erroneous notions that some may have held and advocated; now he turns directly to his addressees.

John calls the Christians; (my little children). That is what we really are; (sons of God). In this, John is expressing the Christians relationship with the Father. The desire of the heart of the Christian must be to sin not. If we commit a sin and confess it, Jesus will represent us to the Father.

This does not, however, mean that we continually sin, which would be a sinful way of life. If we live continually in sin, we have chosen darkness over Light.

“Advocate” means intercessor, or comforter. This is the only mention of this word.

Although a Christian must continually acknowledge and confess sin (1:9), he is not powerless against it. Fulfilling the duty of confession does not give license to sin. Sin can and should be conquered through the power of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:7 translates “advocate” as “Helper”, literally “one called alongside”. Perhaps a modern concept of the term would be a defense attorney. Although Satan prosecutes believers’ night and day before the Father due to sin (Rev. 12:10), Christ’s High-Priestly ministry guarantees not only sympathy but also acquittal (Heb. 4:14-16).

TODAY'S BIBLE READING

July 16
Today's Bible Reading Plan selections can be found below. If you don't have a Bible with you, just click the references to read each passage online:

Old Testament
2 Chronicles 8-9  —  8.0 minutes
Psalms 141  —  2.5 minutes

New Testament
Luke 10:38-42  —  1.5 minutes
1 Thessalonians 4:11-18  —  2.0 minutes

Total Average Read Time — 14.0 minutes