July
24, 2003
AN
ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER
"My
little Children, these things I write to you, so that you
may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is
the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also
for the whole world" (1 John 2:1, 2, NKJV).
In the
act of taking the sins of the whole world upon Himself and
dying on the cross (see 2 Corinthians 5:21), Jesus became
the One who represents and reconciles us to God, "God
was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing
their trespasses to them" (2 Corinthians 5:19). Jesus
died for us so that we might be reunited with God. What a
transference, from being the subjects of an impostor, to being
reunited with the family of heaven. This is a choice that
God has given to everyone.
The Creator
has given us the freedom of choice, and He does not force
His will or His ways on us. However, He has given us the Bible
to communicate His reality and His desire to bring His creation
back into harmony with Him and His universe. That reality
can become ours, by placing our faith and trust in Him and
in the provision that He has made for our salvation. God accepts
the choices we make. However, in many ways He makes us aware
of the right and wrong of our choices. Through the Bible and
by His Holy Spirit, He does everything possible to teach us
a better way so that we may enjoy the fullness of life here
and the joy of eternal life in the hereafter in a universe
where people love, accept and appreciate one another.
"But
as it is written, 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have
entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared
for those who love Him.' " (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Under
conviction of sin, remember, you have an Advocate with the
Father. Under conviction of sin, remember that He died for
you. When oppressed, persecuted, and discouraged, remember
that for you He gave His life. When your duties appear stern
and severe, and your burdens heavier than you can bear, remember,
He endured the cross for you. When your heart shrinks from
the trying ordeal, remember your Redeemer lives to make intercession
for you.
He loves
you and wants to bless you with the fullness of His love and
joy.
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