Heavenly Advocate

1 Timothy 2:5

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

1 John 2:1

The English language has words that can be used as both nouns and verbs: walk, mail, park, play, milk, light, whistle, scare, and more. Advocate is one of those words: An advocate is someone who advocates for others—from the Latin word advocare, meaning “to call to one’s aid.” Advocate in English has come to be primarily a legal term—“defender or representative in court.”

Jesus is described as the Christian’s Advocate in 1 John 2:1. On the basis of His role as the Christian’s Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) and Intercessor (Hebrews 7:25), we get a picture of a heavenly courtroom with four participants: the Christian, the Judge (God the Father), the Defender-Advocate (Jesus Christ), and the “accuser of [the] brethren” (Satan—Revelation 12:10). And if we sin, and Satan comes to accuse us before the Father, “we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (Recall how Satan came to accuse Job before the Father—Job 1-2.)

Why does Christ defend you against Satan? Because there is “no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Give thanks today for your Heavenly Advocate.

A point to ponder…

And do but take away Christ’s intercession, and you starve the hope of the saints.

John Flavel

Read the Bible through in a year

Numbers 1-2

I love you!!!