Jesus Is Our Advocate

1 JOHN 2:1 NKJ 1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

The Greek word translated as Advocate in this verse is parakletos. It means someone called to one's aid; someone who pleads another's cause before a judge; a counsel for defense, a legal assistant, an advocate, and a helper.

Many people have never fully grasped that Jesus Christ is on our side. Just like a defense lawyer, He pleads our case.

We should not sin, because sin is harmful -- to us and to others. But even if we do sin, Jesus Christ is still on our side. He is not accusing us, but defending us on the basis of His sacrifice at Calvary.

The devil is the one who accuses us, who brings up all our sins and shortcomings, and tells us we don't deserve anything good.

REVELATION 12:10 NKJ 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

Jesus is not the one who is trying to find us guilty. He remains our Savior!

ROMANS 8:33-34 NLT 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one -- for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one -- for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.

Jesus not only paid the penalty for all our sins by shedding His own blood, but now He is our advocate pleading our case so that we might enjoy all the blessings He purchased for us -- regardless of our failures.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 NKJ 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Jesus took our place, suffering what we deserve, so that we might receive, as a free gift, what Jesus deserves. This is Good News!

SAY THIS: Jesus Christ is my defense attorney!