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January
3, 2004
THE
ABLE ADVOCATE
"My
little children, these things I write to you, that you may
not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1, NKJV).
Employing
the familiar metaphor of the "Advocate," the apostle John
portrays Christ as the believer's sure defense and ever-present
mediator. With touching eloquence, he urges Christians to
appropriate divine power to overcome sin as a way of life.
He appeals for victorious living and fervently reminds his
readers that God's ideal is complete freedom from the practice
of sin (see I John 3:6).
However,
he also confidently assures us that should the Christian slip
and fall into a particular act of sin, there is adequate provision
for forgiveness and restoration. With firm confidence, the
apostle affirms that "we have an Advocate with the Father".
As a vital element in the plan of salvation, the advocate
has-been retained and made available to all who recognize
their need for divine advocacy.
In Bible
times, the advocate was much more than merely a defense attorney
arguing for the defendant. He was also a counselor and a comforter.
He was one who stood by the side of the accused, to comfort,
encourage, and defend. Our heavenly advocate is not only available
but willing to come to our side when we need Him. He is an
able advocate who "has never lost a case that has been committed
to Him."-Our High Calling, p. 49. He successfully advocates
our cause before the throne of God against "the accuser of
our brethren (Revelation 12: 10, NKJV). If anyone sins, the
advocate pleads the efficacy of His precious blood shed on
our behalf.
Christ
has satisfied the law for us by His death (see Galatians 3:13),
fulfilled the law for us by His perfect obedience (see Romans
5:19), and now He offers us His unceasing advocacy in the
heavenly tribunal. It is for these reasons that we are unafraid
of the judgment. "We may trust in our Advocate; for He pleads
His own merits in our behalf.'~-Ibid.
MY
PRAYER TODAY: Lord, may the portrait of my able Advocate
bring me new assurance of peace with You. Amen!
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