Defend

 

“My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1

Merriam-Webster states that an advocate is “one who pleads the cause of another, specifically: one who leads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court.” One day we each will have to face judgment for our earthly deeds and actions. (2 Corinthians 5:10) Can anyone of us ever hope to be found innocent on our own? Certainly not! Our sin condemns us even now- imagine how much more it would do so when presented to a holy, righteous Lord.

But we have been given an Advocate- One who will take up our case and plead for mercy on our behalf- Jesus Christ. His defense cannot depend upon our earthly actions, for as we’ve said already because of our sins, we have already been found guilty. No amount of good deeds can change that. There is only one argument Jesus can make on our behalf, and it is the argument of His righteousness, poured out on our behalf on the cross. “We are guilty of sin and unable to meet the Lord’s demands, but the perfect righteousness of Jesus, imputed to us in our justification, sets us right with God. Matthew Henry writes: ‘The clients are guilty; their innocence and legal righteousness cannot be pleaded. It is the advocate’s own righteousness that he must plead for the criminals.’” (Our Righteous Advocate, Ligonier.org)

Jesus is not only our Advocate, but He is our very Testimony. For those who have believed in Him and accepted Him as their Lord and Savior, His defense for us will be His very sacrifice- His death on the cross. In such a case, the debt has already been paid and therefore, no charge against us will remain.

That is the radical, all-consuming, eternal love that the Lord has for me, for you, for us all, and that is the Advocate who invites us to come to Him and lay our burdens down.

Extra Reading:
Isaiah 43:25, Romans 8:1-2, Romans 8:34, John 3:16-18

 

Lord,
I don’t deserve the forgiveness You have offered me. I know my thoughts, actions and words leave me guilty on all accounts. Nothing I can say or do will change that. Praise be to God- You didn’t leave me in that state but have offered us each a way out from under the impossible debt we each owe.