An Advocate Who Is Righteous
Saturday’s Verse:
From 1 John 2:1 ESV
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
John writes to us with truth and compassion. God is not going to ignore our sins or tell us that they don't matter. We as Christians are called to repent of our sin and walk in the light.
But John knows us. He knows we are going to sin in our thoughts, words, deeds, and omissions. Therefore, he can assure us of something powerful when we feel guilty. "If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father."
An advocate is someone that argues for you. Jesus will not stand up for us and say that we are not guilty. He will say that he is "Jesus Christ the righteous". He who was without sin has taken our sin upon his body on the cross. When Jesus stands before the Father for us, it's not because of what we have done. It is because of what he has done for us. "It's finished."
This is what the Gospel brings us as Lutherans. When you feel guilty of your sins. Don't look to how much you have repented, how sorry you are, or how much better your life is. Look to Christ. He is your advocate. He is righteous for you. When you are baptized, you are united to Christ. When you hear absolution, he is forgiving you. When you partake in the supper he is giving you his body and blood for the remission of your sins.
Confess your sins and know that you have mercy. Get back up and serve your neighbor. Your hope is not that you will never need an advocate. It is that you have one. Jesus Christ the righteous. This whole passage tells us to fight against sin and know that Jesus will speak on our behalf.
✝️ A Prayer for Today
Gracious Father, thank You for our great advocate, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Thank You for the forgiveness of our sins. And thank You for loving and saving us. In Your Son, Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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