1 John 2:1 - Don't Sin, But….

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.
1 John 2:1 (KJV)

"Advocate" (parakletos, Gk.). Outside this verse, parakletos occurs only
four times in the N.T., each time describing the ministry of the Holy Spirit
(John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). While the Holy Spirit is Jesus' Advocate on
earth, Jesus is the Advocate of believers in heaven. [Believer's SB]

Christ, our Mediator, and the Holy Spirit are constantly interceding in
man's behalf, but the Spirit pleads not for us as does Christ who presents
His blood, shed from the foundation of the world; the Spirit works upon our
hearts, drawing out prayers and penitence, praise and thanksgiving. The
gratitude which flows from our lips is the result of the Spirit striking the
cords of the soul in holy memories, awakening the music of the heart.
6BC1077-8

The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of
sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary; but
passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that
unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend
not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor who is at God's right
hand presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to
God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing
drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His
own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers
into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people,
and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with
the merits of Christ's propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly
and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned. 6BC1077-8

There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really
desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is
imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their
hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not
draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet
of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be
discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not
forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who
also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John, "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." 1 John 2:1.  SC64

To people who are feeling guilty and condemned, John offers reassurance.
They know they have sinned, and Satan (called "the accuser" in Revelation
12:10) is demanding the death penalty. When you feel this way, don't give up
hope--the best defense attorney in the universe is pleading your case. Jesus
Christ, your advocate, your defender, is the Judge's Son. He has already
suffered your penalty in your place. You can't be tried for a case that is
no longer on the docket. United with Christ, you are as safe as he is. Don't
be afraid to ask Christ to plead your case--he has already won it. [Life
Application SB]

The gospel, when rightly understood and received, sets the heart against all
sin, and stops the allowed practice of it; at the same time it gives blessed
relief to the wounded consciences of those who have sinned. [Matthew Henry]