1 John 2:1 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:

But if I sin, I have an advocate. Exactly what part of do not sin escapes us? Do we look forward to the forgiveness even before we sin? How faithful is our love for God in that? I suppose this may be why John begins this chapter with little children, for the expectation of reaction is not one of maturity.

Do our actions and attitudes reflect maturity or immaturity? Children can act like adults but that does not mean they are mature. Maturity isn’t a matter of age, it is a matter of change of heart. Those who are mature in Christ do the right thing because they love God more than the sin that besets them.

When Jesus said if you love me, He was asking for a love response to obedience, not one based on fear or wisdom. Even a child learns how to avoid a father’s wrath. To sin not because of love is much better than obedience of fear.

Obedience for reward is no better. Some look at obedience as the way to achieve a goal, something to be used to advance their position. Obedience of faith is rooted and grounded in love.

Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

John 15:1,4 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Looking at these verses please see this illustration. Love is the life blood of Jesus Christ. If you can see that, then see this also; the vessel that carries that life blood to every part is faith.

See what is delivered by faith, just as nutrients are carried in the blood thru veins; purifying their hearts by faith; are sanctified by faith that is in me; The just shall live by faith; a man is justified by faith; we have access by faith into this grace; This only would I learn of you…by the hearing of faith; The just shall live by faith; the promise(s) by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Can you hear His heartbeat?