1 John 2:1-2 – “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”  NASB

It is clear from scripture that only God can forgive sin and that you and I, as sinful human beings, have no claim upon God. Our only access or hope of pardon comes through the sacrificial work of Jesus on the Cross as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind.  It is by grace that we are saved through faith and not works.  It is recognition of our condition, admission of our guilt, repentance and, reception of what He has done, who He is, and the forgiveness that comes to us as a result.

It is interesting to note that while most of the times the word translated ‘advocate’ or ‘prakleetos’ it is normally applied to the ministry and person of the Holy Spirit.  Here it is applied to Jesus and depicts the imagery of one representing us in a court of law.  However, it is quite different than what would be the normal course of a human attorney. 

No human attorney would begin his defense of his client by acknowledging their guilt, but Jesus does!  A human attorney would seek to find either justification for the actions of the client or put into question the guilt of that person they represent.  Human attorneys would be seeking ‘reasonable doubt’ in the minds of the jurors. 

Not so with Jesus, He readily and immediately acknowledges our guilt.  He acknowledges that we are guilty as charged and makes no attempt to conceal or justify our sin.  He then becomes surety for us and the universe.  He brings to the fore His sacrifice and identifies that He has satisfied ‘divine justice’ regarding sin.  Our forgiveness and justification are based on His work and our repentance and reception of His sacrifice.  On that basis, He argues that we can be and should be acquitted and delivered from the punishment for our sin.  He presents the case opening the door for our admission or adoption into the family of God.

Do not think that you will ever be able to argue your case before the Father and win, you won’t!  If you try to stand on your own merit you will fail.  If you fall on the mercy of the court and receive the Blood of Jesus as the covering and cleansing of your sin you will walk into eternity ‘white as snow’ having been washed in the blood of the lamb.  The choice is yours.  You can believe and receive or you can deny and try to justify yourself.  I only recommend the former not the latter.

            God bless you as you go through your day!