Verse of the Day: 1 John 2:1-2 NKJV
“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. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
In our journey of faith, we strive to walk in righteousness and avoid sin. However, we are not immune to its temptations, and there are times when we fall short of God's perfect standard. Yet, even in our failings, we have an Advocate - Jesus Christ Himself.
Our Advocate is not like a human defence lawyer who argues for our innocence. Instead, He acknowledges our guilt and stands before the Father on our behalf, pleading the merits of His own atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus Christ, the sinlessly perfect One, is fully qualified to represent us in heaven's court of law.
It is crucial to recognise the distinction between the condemning accusations of Satan and the loving conviction of the Holy Spirit. While Satan seeks to condemn and accuse, the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin in order to lead us to repentance and restoration.
Moreover, Jesus is not merely our Advocate; He is also the propitiation for our sins. In ancient cultures, propitiation involved offering gifts to appease the wrath of the gods. However, in the Christian understanding, God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, becomes the propitiation for our sins. His sacrifice turns away the righteous wrath of God and reconciles us to Him.
Let us, therefore, take comfort in the knowledge that we have an Advocate who intercedes for us with the Father.
Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on the following verses:
Hebrews 7:24-25; Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21
Prayer
Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who serves as our Advocate and propitiation for our sins. Help us to rely on His intercession and to walk in the light of Your truth.
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