1 John 2:1-2
My children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.
Applying God’s Word for today: You have an advocate when you sin.
It seems only the wealthy can afford a lawyer when things go wrong. The lawyer steps in as an advocate for the lawbreaker, hoping to secure a lighter sentence or raise reasonable doubt about the crime. But what happens when we are guilty, and there is no way out? Christ steps in with His own righteousness and the finished payment; Jesus said, “it is finished!”
John writes that we should not sin, but when we do, we have an advocate. By faith, we love God in return. We also have the Holy Spirit by our side, who has set us apart as holy through our faith. Therefore, only through the Spirit do we strive to avoid sinning. But what happens when we do? Especially since each sin is a life sentence, no matter how great or small. God expects us to be perfect as He is perfect. When we sin, the wage we deserve is death, as Paul wrote in Romans 6:23. Jesus has borne our wage on the cross in our place, and the believer is declared not guilty for Jesus’ sake.
John gives us hope that we are not lost when we sin, because we have an advocate who lived His life in perfect love toward God and us. He willingly went to the cross to suffer for each of our sins. He stands before the Father as your advocate because, through God’s grace and faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven. He innocently suffered on the cross, enduring the eternal wrath of the Father for us. Jesus is our atoning sacrifice, making us at one with God.
As John wrote, not only for our sins but for the sins of the whole world—the person next to you, your neighbor, coworker, family member, or the person who doesn’t like you. Jesus died for all of them. But faith is the open hand that receives God’s good and gracious gift.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending us Your Son as our Savior. Forgive me all my sins for Jesus’ sake, take away my guilt and shame, and create a new heart in me through Your means of grace, and transform my mind. Give me the courage to share this good news of my salvation with someone who does not yet know you. Change their hearts. Amen.
Though you see the enormity of your sins and know you are guilty, God’s love for you is infinitely greater. He has given His Son in your place, and Jesus is now your advocate who has announced your forgiveness. May the Holy Spirit work in your heart; trust in God’s love for you.