Almighty Advocate

If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. (1 John 2:1)

An advocate is someone who supports, strengthens and stands in the gap for another. The Bible identifies the Holy Spirit as our Advocate, and it also identifies Jesus in the same capacity. Today I want to encourage you with a word about Jesus Christ, your Almighty Advocate.

First, Jesus is your Advocate at the moment of your salvation when God the Father accepts you as His own, “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Here is what I imagine the conversation might sound like between Jesus and His Father:

Father, this one is mine. Yes, this person is guilty as charged. Yes, this person is dead in trespasses and sins, but you decreed in eternity past that My death would pay the penalty for this person’s sins and that My blood has cleansed this person from all unrighteousness. You put your stamp of approval on My work being totally sufficient for this person’s salvation when you raised Me from the dead. Not only now, but forevermore, there is no condemnation for this person because I was condemned in this person’s place.

Second, Jesus remains our Almighty Advocate forever and ever, for God’s Word promises us, “He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). We were not only sinners in need of a Savior when we got saved, but we are most definitely sinners in need of a Savior every moment of every day thereafter. We still sin, and when we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful to forgive us, over and over and over again.

And don’t forget this. Because Jesus was fully man as well as fully God, He knows exactly what you have gone through, what you are currently going through, and what you will go through in the future. He knows your temptations and your suffering and your sorrow. He lived it Himself, yet without sin, and He can sympathize with you every step of the way into glory.

Remember, regardless of where this finds you today, your Almighty Advocate is not only for you, He is with you and He is in you. If you have any doubts about this, let me encourage you to pray that God would open the eyes of your heart to this truth, that you may rejoice that Jesus is your Almighty Advocate. He has loved you with an everlasting love, and His love for you and advocacy on your behalf will never waver. This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!