IF...

'But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (I John 2:1b)

What a wonderful, subordinating conjunction....'IF'. By definition, 'in case that; granting or supposing that; on condition that'. 'IF' does NOT imply a certainty, but only the possibility. And considering the subject and context of the passage, what a wonderful hope that provides for individuals stuck in the mire of a sinful habit. We all have a history of strength to resist temptation and willfully turn our backs in certain situations or environments. But oh, what about that one thing that continually catches our eye, our Achilles heel, our fatal flaw, that we daily struggle and daily fail to pass the test-tation. The 'IF' gives us an eraser to the blackboard of life, an Advocate to the Father who pleads our cause, a hope for the future that the fatal flaw is not a certainty but will be overcome, and a heavenly home that is free from all sin and guilt.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)