And he is the atoning sacrifice{"atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "hilasmos," an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation-- the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.} for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
John reminded his readers in this section (1 John 1:8 to 1 John 2:2) that fellowship with God is possible only when we deal with sin in our lives. This is true of believers (1 John 1:5 to 1 John 2:1) as well as unbelievers (1 John 2:2). John articulated four fundamental principles that underlie fellowship with God to facilitate his readers’ experience of that fellowship. One must renounce sin (1 John 1:8 to 1 John 2:2), obey God (1 John 2:3-11), reject worldliness (1 John 2:12-17), and keep the faith (1 John 2:18-29) to live in the light of God’s presence.