Basic HTML Version
An Advocate with the Father, February 12
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And
if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous.
1 John 2:1
.
How careful is the Lord Jesus to give no occasion for a soul to despair.
How He fences about the soul from Satan’s fierce attacks. If through
manifold temptations we are surprised or deceived into sin, He does not
turn from us and leave us to perish. No, no, that is not our Saviour....
He was tempted in all points like as we are; and having been tempted,
He knows how to succor those who are tempted. Our crucified Lord is
pleading for us in the presence of the Father at the throne of grace. His
atoning sacrifice we may plead for our pardon, our justification, and our
sanctification. The Lamb slain is our only hope. Our faith looks up to Him,
grasps Him as the One who can save to the uttermost, and the fragrance
of the all-sufficient offering is accepted of the Father.
If you make failures and are betrayed into sin, do not feel then you
cannot pray ... but seek the Lord more earnestly.
The blood of Jesus is pleading with power and efficacy for those who
are backslidden, for those who are rebellious, for those who sin against
great light and love. Satan stands at our right hand to accuse us, and our
Advocate stands at God’s right hand to plead for us. He has never lost a
case that has been committed to Him. We may trust in our Advocate; for
He pleads His own merits in our behalf.... He is making intercession for
the most lowly, the most oppressed and suffering, for the most tried and
tempted ones. With upraised hands He pleads, “I have graven thee upon
the palms of my hands.”
Isaiah 49:16
.
I would I might sound the glad note to earth’s remotest bounds. “If any
man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
Oh, precious redemption! How broad this great truth is—that God for
Christ’s dear sake, forgives us the moment we ask Him in living faith,
believing that He is fully able!
[50]
49