Our Heavenly Lawyer

1 John 2:1

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

I believe that one of the saddest things that I see in the Christian life is a believer that is so burdened down by past sins that they can't even enjoy their salvation. They know that the Bible teaches that we are to be filled with the joy of the Lord, but for some reason they can't seem to get over things that they have done in the past. It maybe that it was in the not too distant pass. Regardless of what it was or when it was, there is good news for all who find themselves in this predicament.

The good news is that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness, past and future. I can just hear some of you saying, “Well if that is the case then why do I still feel so bad?”

There can be several reasons why. One may be that you have not forgiven yourself. You see, when God forgives you, you must accept it as done and go one with life. No matter how bad you feel about messing up like that, don't let condemnation cause you to sin twice by not receiving the forgiveness that Jesus gives.

This text goes on to say that when we sin, we have an advocate with the Father who is Jesus Christ the righteous. Do you understand what an advocate is and does? He is one who intercedes on your behalf with the judge. He is a lawyer; in this case Jesus is our Heavenly Lawyer, who is going before the Father for us. When the Father asks how do you plead, he says that He pleads His blood, and that this sin is under the blood and therefore is already paid for. At that, the Father says, “Case dismissed, I can find no fault in this one.” Now isn't that great, we have a lawyer whose father just happens to be the judge.