S – 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. ² He himself is the atoning sacrifice^, for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world

1 John 2:1–2 CSB

O – Commentary:

But if anybody does sin, we have One who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. John did not want his readers to sin, but he knew that none of them was perfect and that all would need the help available from their Advocate.

The words “One who speaks … in our defense” translate a single term (paraklēton). Its essential meaning is captured by the KJV‘s familiar “Advocate.” John is the only New Testament writer to use it of the Holy Spirit (four times in his Gospel: John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). In these four verses the NIV renders it “Counselor” each time (cf. kjv‘s “Comforter”). The thought here in 1 John 2:1 is of a defense attorney who takes up the case of his client before a tribunal. The way in which the advocacy of the Lord Jesus works for His sinning people is admirably illustrated in His prayer for Peter (Luke 22:31–32). In anticipation of Peter’s approaching denial, Jesus asked the Father to prevent Peter’s faith from collapsing. He also had in mind Peter’s future helpfulness to his Christian brethren. 

 Zane C. Hodges, “1 John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 887.

A – How powerful it is to know that when we sin, Christ not only paid the price for it but defends us as well.  He speaks on our behalf when we guilty of sin and confess it to him.  The freedom we experience is not to go sin more.  Instead, it is to recognize the debt we cannot pay is paid in full.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our Advocate.  Thank you for paying the price for our sin.  When it judged, you stand before us and speak on our behalf.  Give us the courage to truly examine ourselves with full transparency and honesty.  We are humbled by your love for us.

S – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

1 John 1:9 CSB

O – Commentary – 

confess our sins Confession of sin opens a person to the work of God within them, relinquishing the power of sin over their life through the power of Jesus (2:1; compare 3:8). John is not suggesting that the act of confession is required for salvation. God does the saving work; people cannot save themselves (2:12; John 3:16–17). Instead, confession opens a person to the work of the Holy Spirit, leading to the removal of sinful behaviors and desires (1 John 3:24).

he Refers to God, who will forgive us through the atoning death of Jesus (1 John 1:7).

faithful Meaning that God is true to the agreement He made with His people, which established the true cost of sin (Deut 7:9; Jer 31:31–34; compare Lev 4–5).

just God demonstrates this attribute by carrying out His promise of bringing people into relationship with Him through Christ’s sacrificial death (compare Isa 53:10–12).

forgive When people admit that they are sinful, God honors His word by both forgiving them and giving them the power to overcome sin

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 1 Jn 1:9.

A – There is freedom in acknowledging and confessing our sins to God.  He knows we sin and our recognition of it shows our dependence on him in forgiveness.  It is another reflection of his love – so much, that he would send Jesus to cover our sins with his blood on the cross.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our Redeemer.  You forgive and redeem us from our sins.  Thank you for loving us so much that Jesus would go to the cross so we could be forgiven and set free from sin in our lives.  

S – The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

 2 Peter 3:9 CSB

O – Commentary:

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise. The words “is … slow” translate bradynei (“hesitate, linger, delay”), used only here in the New Testament. Again Peter gave a divine-human comparison (cf. v. 8). God’s so-called “tardiness” as viewed by some people (as some understand slowness) is only a delay with respect to their time schedules, not His. In fact God’s time schedule is modified by patience, a major attribute of the heavenly Father (cf. v. 15; Rom. 2:4; 9:22).

The words not wanting (mē boulomenos) anyone to perish do not express a decree, as if God has willed everyone to be saved. Universal salvation is not taught in the Bible. Instead those words describe God’s wishes or desires; He longs that all would be saved (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4) but knows that many reject Him.

 Kenneth O. Gangel, “2 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 876.

A – The Bible says God will come again to judge all of mankind and is delaying his return due his own patience.  It is fascinating that the one who holds time and knows all things is actually attributed with patience.  As he has given us a free will to choose him, he wants to give every opportunity for people to make that choice.  That is a strong love and desire for relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, True God.  Thank you for providing a way for relationship with you.  We pray for people to repent and come into a relationship with you.  We are grateful you were patient enough to wait for us.

S – Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20–21 CSB

O – Commentary:

The prophecies did not originate with the prophets themselves. The word epilyseōs (“interpretation,” lit., “unloosing”) and the word ginetai (“came about”) favor the fourth view. The Scriptures did not stem merely from the prophets themselves; their writings came from God. Verse 20, then, speaks not of interpretation, but of revelation, the source of the Scriptures.

1:21. This verse also supports the view that Peter wrote in verse 20 about prophecies being born of God, not originating from the prophets themselves. Prophecy came not from the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

As the authors of Scripture wrote their prophecies, they were impelled or borne along by God’s Spirit. What they wrote was thus inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). “Borne along” or “carried along” translates the word pheromenoi. Luke used this word in referring to a sailing vessel carried along by the wind (Acts 27:15, 17). The Scriptures’ human authors were controlled by the divine Author, the Holy Spirit. Yet they were consciously involved in the process; they were neither taking dictation nor writing in a state of ecstasy. No wonder believers have a word of prophecy which is certain. And no wonder a Christian’s nurture must depend on the Scriptures. They are the very words of God Himself!

 Kenneth O. Gangel, “2 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 869.

A – This gives a foundational explanation of the inspiration and execution of writing the scriptures for all to receive.  The Bible has endured since its inception and will going forward.  We confidently use them as the foundation of our faith and knowledge of the character, will and purposes of God.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Word.  Thank you for giving us the Bible as our foundation for our understanding of you. It also lays out how to enjoy a relationship with you.  We are grateful for the word of God in our lives.

S – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. ⁸ Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour

1 Peter 5:6–8 CSB

O – Peter challenges the believers to lower their view of themselves in relationship with God.  He has a plan and purpose that will be accomplished in His timing.  Humility also leads to an awareness of the enemy’s schemes as he comes against us.

A – In golf, the worst thing you can say is “I have it all figured out.”  You will most likely go out and shoot a bad score the next time.  Such is true in our Christian walk.  It isn’t an equation or puzzle to solve – it is a living relationship with God.  Humility recognizes He is God and we are not.  We have the victory over the devil but we shouldn’t be cocky in ourselves.  God is our source.  Humility, faith, awareness and the presence of the Holy Spirit are key ingredients to a solid walk with God.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Help us maintain a level of humility and confidence that is pleasing to you.  We are your children and rely on your Holy Spirit to be present with today.  

S – The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. ⁸ Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:7–8 CSB

O – Peter is exhorting us to be aware and self controlled in our disciplines so when we pray our lives align with our conversation with God.  Our love for others needs to be consistent and aware so we can accept others sins as forgivable. 

A – Two strong parts of our Christian faith is prayer and love for others.  The intentionality of each is so important if we want to have a vibrant walk with God.  Since God’s word doesn’t put boundaries on us in our behavior to grow in him, the concepts of awareness and self control keep us in His will.  Loving others when they cross their boundaries allows us to see them through the lens of grace and not judgement.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Empower us to walk with awareness and self control today.  We know we are going to sin and make mistakes.  Thank you for your grace and mercy as we see our sin and ask for your forgiveness.  Give us the courage to extend that same forgiveness to others.

S – Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, ⁹ not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing. 

1 Peter 3:8–9 CSB

O – Peter exhorts the believers to be in unity, loving each other with a foundation of humility and grace.  They should bless others instead of trying to hurt those who offended them. 

A – There are many principles in these statements that are foundational.  Peter challenges us to bring them together in a daily expression.  Each can stand on their own but when brought together cohesively, their power is multiplied.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are gracious and merciful.  You gave us Christ as a human expression of your character.  Empower us today to walk in the same way he did.  Help us to see other as you see them.

S – He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds^, you have been healed.

1 Peter 2:24 CSB

O – Commentary:

God was justly judging our sins which His Son bore (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21). In the Greek the words “our sins” are near the beginning of the verse and thus stand out emphatically, while He Himself stresses Christ’s personal involvement. His death makes it possible for believers to be free from both the penalty and the power of sin and to live for Him: so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness (cf. Rom. 6:2, 13). Christ suffered so it would be possible for Christians to follow His example, both in suffering and in righteous living. Peter made a general reference to salvation: by His wounds you have been healed (Isa. 53:5). This does not refer to physical healing for the verb’s past tense indicates completed action, the “healing” is an accomplished fact. The reference is to salvation. Christ’s suffering (lit., “wound”; mōlōpi, “stripe left by a lash,” referred to Jesus’ scourging) and death accomplished “healing,” the salvation of every individual who trusts Him as his Savior

 Roger M. Raymer, “1 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 848.

A – Our sin, our penalty, His death, His sacrifice, our victory.  Then emphasized by words  saying “It is accomplished already.”  We are ensured salvation when we accept the work of the cross and recognize that Jesus is our savior.  In accepting that gift of salvation, it opens up healing in our minds, bodies and areas that are wounded from life’s challenges, words said over us and spiritual battles.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our Savior.  Thank you for the work of the cross that heals us spiritually and physically.  We invite your Holy Spirit to continue the work in our minds and bodies that allows us to live in freedom and grace today.

S – Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls

1 Peter 1:8–9 CSB

O – Peter tells those who have not seen Jesus that even though they have not seen Jesus in person, they believe in him with joy.  They have faith in someone they have only heard about which develops faith leading to salvation.

A – We are the same as these people – we have never seen Jesus.  All we have is the Bible which tells stories and teachings about him.  And still, we believe in him.  It can look foolish to an outsider.  Personally, there truth of who God, Jesus and Holy Spirit is overwhelming and it is foolish not to believe in Him.  That is faith.  My life is better living a life of faith in God and what Jesus did on the cross.  The character of God, his purpose for my life and his love for me convinces me that my faith where it should be.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one and only God.  Thank you for our relationship today.  I am in total trust in Christ’s sacrifice for my salvation and relationship with you.  I desire to grow in my faith today so I can know you more intimately.  I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me in my thoughts, words and actions today.

– Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. ¹⁷

James 5:16–17 CSB

O – Commentary:

therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other. A mutual concern for one another is the way to combat discouragement and downfall. The cure is in personal confession and prayerful concern. The healing (that you may be healed) is not bodily healing but healing of the soul (iathēte; cf. Matt. 13:15; Heb. 12:13; 1 Peter 2:24). It is the powerful and effective … prayer of a righteous person that brings the needed cure from God. This of course relates to the closing two verses of James’ letter.

 J. Ronald Blue, “James,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 835.

A – We need each other to work through the daily challenges.  Left alone, all we have is our one perspective and faith.  In community, we have other wisdom, encouragement, and insights to approach the things we face.  It also invites their gifts and talents into the challenge that we face together.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Creator of all things.  Thank you for the gift of others to walk with in our journey with you.  Help us to walk humbly and help each other.  We are better together.