People try many ways to reach a state of sinlessness, of righteousness. They may try filling their lives with good works or practicing extreme self-discipline or seeking to remove themselves from anything that causes them to sin. None of these will work, for sinlessness is not something that can be achieved. It can only be received in Christ. 

In his second lesson on the book of 1 John, minister Aaron Hill tells listeners that Jesus is our atoning sacrifice. 1 John 2:1 tells his audience, whom he addresses at "little children," not to sin, but he reassures them that if they do sin, they have an advocate with the Father. We, as did they, can have Jesus  as our advocate.  We can't will ourselves to maintain righteousness. We must trust and believe Jesus in a way that leads to a relationship with Him, to knowing Him.