Why is it important to remember "we have an Advocate with the Father"? The Heart of the Text 1 John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” Why Remembering Our Advocate Matters • Scripture is perfectly accurate; it states that Jesus “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25). • God’s holiness is absolute (Habakkuk 1:13). Without an Advocate, guilt would bar us from His presence. • Satan is called “the accuser of our brothers” (Revelation 12:10). Christ’s advocacy silences every charge. • Assurance flows from knowing He “is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). What an Advocate Does • Represents: Jesus appears “in God’s presence on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24). • Intercedes: He prays for us by name (Luke 22:31-32; Romans 8:34). • Pleads His righteousness: “The Righteous One” anchors the plea, not our performance. • Applies His finished work: “It is finished” (John 19:30) echoes in every heavenly petition. Practical Encouragement for Everyday Life • Confidence in confession: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). • Freedom from condemnation: Romans 8:34—no charge sticks when the Judge’s Son is our defense. • Perseverance in trials: Knowing Jesus stands with us sustains hope (Hebrews 4:14-16). • Motivation toward holiness: Advocacy is never a license to sin but a call to grateful obedience (Titus 2:11-14). Security in the Courtroom of Heaven Imagine the scene: – The Judge: the Father, perfectly just. – The Accuser: Satan, listing every failure. – The Advocate: Jesus, presenting His own blood. Verdict: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Living in Light of Our Advocate • Start each day remembering who stands for you. • Run to Him, not from Him, when you stumble. • Let His continuing work quiet fear and kindle worship. Summary Remembering we have an Advocate guards our hearts with assurance, fuels repentance, disarms accusation, and energizes holy living—because Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, never stops pleading our case before the Father. |
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