CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE What happens if in spite of all God's wonderful provision for us, we fail and fall? We can do that all too easily, can't we? God has provided for that event as well. If we do sin, we have an Advocate who takes up our case with our Father. Notice that verse1 says God is still our Father. He does not alter our relationship with Himself, even though our sin grieves Him. This is easily illustrated in an earthly family. Our children did many things which were wrong, but they were still our children. What they did had to be dealt with but our relationship to them did not alter. Notice how the N.I.V. translates this first verse. 'If anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.' Why do we need Christ to speak for us? Because we have an adversary, an accuser, Satan itself. It accuses us to God and demands our death. But God's Son says, 'Father, that is one of our children. I died to pay for that one's sin. It is already paid for.' Satan is defeated and we are forgiven. Isn't that both wonderful and yet humbling? What a complete redemption God has planned for us. Christ made it all possible by His death at Calvary. What more could we ask for? Christ is our Mediator, our Intercessor, our Advocate. How marvellously complete ! Worth remembering: Faith looks back and sees Him dying for me. Assurance looks up and sees Him pleading for me. Hope looks ahead and sees Him coming for me. What more could I ask for? |
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