The book of First, Second, and Third John was not written to the world of unbelievers, but to the CHURCH!  1 John 1:8-9 says, If we say we have  no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Many use this part of the prayer to lead people to salvation, but it was written to those who have already received Christ Jesus.Have you considered 1 John 2:1-2? My little children, these things I write unto you THAT YE SIN NOT. AND if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.  And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for (the sins of) the whole world. John was writing, AND IF ANY MAN SIN, and he assumed he would, we have a lawyer to defend us, Christ Jesus.

Picture the following scene in your mind.  You have sinned.  You’re summoned to court, ALL RISE!  The Lord God Almighty, the righteous Judge, Presiding.  The prosecution is Satan.  Your Counsel is Christ Jesus.  Satan steps up to the bench, Your Honor, the defendant (that’s YOU) is charged with the sin of lust and idolatry. The Judge says to you (the defendant), HOW DO YOU PLEAD? And you respond, Guilty, Your Honor, what can I say, I did it.  I’m sorry.

The Jury deliberates and the Bailiff says, Guilty as charged, we recommend the death penalty. You hang your head and the hair on the back of your neck stands up, and you feel sick at your stomach, as your knees start to buckle.  But wait!  Jesus, your lawyer approaches the bench and says, Your Honor, the defendant is indeed guilty as charged.  He even admits it.  And the penalty is deserved and just.  Your Honor, I will die for him so he may go free.

The Judge agrees to the switch.  Jesus looks at you with love in His eyes as they nail Him to the cross to die.  YOU should be on that cross instead of Him.  Now you’re free and all charges against you have been dropped, and you can never be tried again.  But Jesus, who was not guilty of anything has now bled and died for you.  He loved you unto the death, a horrible, painful, slow and tortured death.  For you…..

What will you do with your second chance?  Will you love the One who died for you?  Guess what?  Because He was without any sin of His own, God raised Him from the dead!  And He’s back!  Now you have a chance to thank Him for what He did for you!