Your Advocate Before God
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.”
1 John 2:1 (NLT)
Jesus Christ is the believers’ advocate before God! He’s the only defense attorney that’s never lost a case! In this cosmic courtroom, God the Father is the Judge. Satan is the accuser, and everyone who has ever lived is on trial. Who in the world could ever be found innocent when we’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of God? How can any of us escape the judgment of a holy and righteous God? Then, Jesus Christ enters the courtroom. Unlike any other advocate who stands with the condemned, Jesus Christ is the Judge’s own Son! He acknowledges the accusations Satan makes against us and offers Himself in our place to take the punishment we deserved! He suffered our penalty in our place as our defender! Because of His sacrifice, we cannot be tried for a case that no longer exists! It is no longer on the court docket! Our record has been expunged! His grace not only offers a pardon, but it also offers a clean slate as if the crime had never been committed! When we receive Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, the just penalty for our sin has been satisfied, and we are justified before God! That means that, through Jesus, we are made right with God! How awesome is that! We never have to be afraid to ask Christ to plead our case! He has already won it! On the cross, He cried victoriously, “It is finished!” John 19:30 (NLT)
In the language of the New Testament, that phrase was one word, “Tetelestai.” It means “paid in full!” No wonder the Gospel is called Good News! Imagine standing before God and having every wrong thought, every wrong deed you’ve ever done replayed on an IMAX screen, revealing undeniable evidence of your guilt. At the very moment you think your verdict is to be given, your advocate, Jesus Christ, steps up, and the case is dismissed! You are free! Forgiven! No longer condemned! How grateful would you be? John tells us, in the next verse, why Jesus has never lost a case. “He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” 1 John 2:2 (NLT)
God’s forgiveness is universal! He offers forgiveness to all who ask and turn from their sin to Christ! Is Jesus your advocate before God, or will you be standing alone, acting in your own defense? It’s been said, “A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.”
When you receive Christ by faith and let Him take control of your life, the Bible says in Romans 8:1 (NLT), “So NOW there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Did you get that? There is no condemnation NOW, not just in eternity! We can live, free of our past offenses, with a clear conscience before God! What is that worth to you? All you have to do is turn to God from sin, receive Christ’s forgiveness, and commit your life to Him! If you’ve never done that, do it now and experience a new life in Christ!
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.