1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
The Devil has planted a horrible lie in the church. It has worked over every believer to greater or lesser degrees since Jesus rose from the grave and sat down at the right hand of the Father. It has even made its way into the theology of most churches. The lie? Jesus has forgiven your sins; but you still need to pay for them. This is a subtle lie. But it keeps us in bondage to shame, unforgiveness, and self-righteousness. Thankfully, the truth remains: our sins are paid for!