"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - 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."

    Thank You Jesus for the sacrifice that You bring. We are children of God and are not under the control of sin. However, when we falter and give into our sinful nature, Jesus Christ, The Righteous One, stands in our defense. It could also be translated that Jesus turns aside God's wrath. He is the vicarious atonement for our sins, so we don't have to be subject to death and separation from God. And he does not only do this for us, but for the entire world. John later goes on to write that we know the Father if we obey his commands. The man who declares to know Him, but does not follow His commandments is hence forth a liar and truth does not live in him. If we are obedient to His word, then God's love is truly made complete in us. This is how we know that we are His. If we claim to live in Him, we must walk as Jesus did. We must see darkness passing and see light shining.