Advocate
A Message from John
BY WAYNE JACKSON
One of the most
thrilling passages in John’s first epistle is found in chapter 2, verses 1-2.
The text reads as
follows:
“My little children, these things write I unto you that you may not sin.
And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but
also for the whole world.”
There are several
points in this passage that are worthy of notation.
Let us briefly
concentrate upon them and the meaning they contain for our lives.
1. The phrase “little
children” is found nine times in this epistle.
It reflects the
tender love that the apostle had for his fellow Christians.
Would it not be
wonderful if more of God’s children would treat one another as “family”?
This disposition
is possible—even when we disagree.
Can we not
consider each other as “brothers,” rather than “enemies”
(2 Thessalonians
3:15)?
This does not mean
that we are allowed to ignore error; it does address the attitude we should
adopt in dealing with our spiritual kinsmen.
2. The text
underscores the power of the written word; John hopes that his message will
inoculate against sin in his brethren’s lives.
There are those
who believe that an inward, supernatural operation of the Holy Spirit guards
them against wrongdoing.
John knows nothing
of the “zap” ideology.
In fact, if such
were the case, one could only conclude that the Holy Spirit is doing a mediocre
job—since even Christians cannot live above sin.
According to the apostle, the “written
word” is the antidote against evil (Psalm 119:11).
And when there is
failure, the flaw is with us—not the Spirit of God.
3. John acknowledges
human weakness; he takes note of the fact that sin will overtake us on occasion
(see: 1:8; cf. Romans
7:15; 1 Corinthians 10:12).
I shall never
forget the conversation that I once had with a Christian brother who, deadly
serious, stated that he had finally graduated to the level where he sinned no
more!
I could only
listen in stunned amazement, noting that he had eclipsed even God’s apostle.
Perhaps John
anticipated such arrogance when he wrote, “If we say that we have [present tense] no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).
When we do yield
to sin, if the evil is not remedied in the biblical way, even Christians can be
cut off from Heaven’s grace (Galatians 5:4)— contrary to the dogma of Calvin.
4. When the child of
God does sin, however, he need not feel that his situation is hopeless.
If he confesses
his wrongdoing (1 John 1:9), and attempts to
turn from such in repentance (Acts 8:22), his “Advocate” (parakletos – a term meaning, “to call to one’s side”)
is available to help him.
The idea suggested
is a legal one; Jesus is the “counsel for
the defense” on our behalf.
Based upon His own
flawless record (cf. “righteous” verse1b), and His atoning mission (1 John 1:7), Jesus is qualified
to plead our cause.
If we practice “walking
in the light” (the grammatical tense implies sustained activity), our
case will not be lost!
5. Jesus serves as
the “propitiation” (hilasmos)
for sin.
In secular Greek
the term denoted a price paid to mollify the wrath of another.
While some object
to this meaning within the biblical context, the reality is — it is by the Lord’s atoning
death that the obedient are delivered from the wrath of God (Romans 2:5,8;
5:9; 9:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
Incidentally, a
form of this word (hilasterion)
is found in Hebrews 9:5, where it is rendered “mercy-seat” [the
covering of the ark of the covenant] on account of the annual blood-offering
for sin that took place on the Day of Atonement.
Blood was
sprinkled on the “mercy-seat” to atone for sin.
Christ is the “covering”
for our sins (cf. Psalm 32:1).
When one attempts
to “cover”
his disobedience in any way that digresses from the divine plan, it is a futile
effort.
6. Finally, the
potential universal effectiveness associated with the Lord’s
death is emphasized.
Christ died for
the “whole
world” (cf. John 3:16; 1
Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).
This truth
contradicts Calvin’s notion of “limited atonement.”
This is the theory
that Jesus died only for those whom God predestined to salvation before the
foundation of the world. This view has no support in Scripture.
John’s wonderful
word of admonition is brimming with instruction and comfort.
Be refreshed by it.
God the Father chose to send Jesus to the cross to show His love
and the seriousness of our sin.
Jesus accepted to take our punishment, to save all who would believe.
Why not receive God's gift of salvation and become His
child?
Open your heart and say this prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am
a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and live a new
life pleasing to You.
Please forgive me, and help
me avoid sinning again.
I believe that Your Son,
Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and
hears my prayer.
I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my
Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall
call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and
the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord
of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your
Word, I am born again and I am now a child of God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is
in me now to help me do Your will for the rest of my life. I surrender my life
to You. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
If you have just put your trust in Jesus Christ, you have
been born into God’s family.
As a
spiritual baby, you need to grow by feeding on God’s Word – the Bible (1
Peter 2:2).
You must have a good modern translation Bible and begin
prayerfully reading it. Start in the New Testament, such as the Gospel of John
or Paul’s letters to the Ephesians.
As you read, ask two questions: “What are You, Lord?” “What do You want me to do?”
Also, you need to join a Christian fellowship where the
Bible is taught and where God is truly worshiped.
God bless you as you begin your new life with Him!
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1 What a
friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we
trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
What
a Friend We Have in
Jesus
Joseph Medlicott Scriven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm3mKa2buhgLarryFordGaitherVEVO
CLICK HERE . . .
lyrics
1 What a
friend we have in Jesus,all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we
trials and temptations?Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
3 Are we weak
and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you wilt find a solace there.
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you wilt find a solace there.
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