What does it mean that Jesus is our Advocate?

Jesus as part of his many titles is called an advocate. This title gives us an important insight into his role in heaven on behalf of all those who trust in him for salvation. I am particularly excited to share this important spiritual truth with you this day, and I hope and pray that this short article will be a great blessing to you.

Jesus advocacy role

An advocate is a lawyer who speaks for or defends someone in a court of law. An advocate knows the intricacies of the law and always argue cases in favor of their clients. Lawyers or advocates represent the interest of their clients in court with the view that justice will be made in favor of those they are representing.

In the book of John, it is written: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2; 1).

The apostle is saying that if any of us sins, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus the righteous. Jesus pleads our case based on the merits of his substitutionary sacrifice. This is a comforting text of scripture. Jesus is representing us before God as our advocate, he is there arguing our case before the heavenly court in heaven. Jesus defends and intercedes for us based on the merits of his finished work, so all the cavils and accusations leveled against is rendered obsolete.

Apostle Paul wrote: "Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us" (Romans 8; 34).

Jesus died, was buried and he rose again victoriously on the third day by defeating sin, Satan, the world and also setting the captives free. In Christ Jesus, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1; 7). If our sins are forgiven in Christ, how then can we expect to be punished by God? 

Jesus advocacy role in the heavenly court in heaven secures our salvation. If a believer sins, we can imagine a conversation between the father and Jesus in this manner; "Father I know he has sinned, he is guilty of this evil, but let him go because I have already paid for all his sins including this one, my pierced hands and feet are proof of my love and sacrifice in his stead".

Jesus death and subsequent resurrection always stands in a place of continual intercession for us. Jesus advocacy role do not only give us assurance of our salvation, it is also a source of joy and happiness to all Christians.

Does it mean we have the license to live anyhow we want and still be saved?

This is an argument people often raise against this kind of teaching. Since, if any of us sins we have an advocate with the father, does that gives us the liberty to lead a sinful lifestyle? Certainly not. Such thought is against the principles of God's word, it is in direct antithesis to what the scriptures really teaches. The fact that Jesus advocacy role coupled with his vicarious sacrifice secures our salvation, does not mean we now have the legal right to live a licentiousness lifestyle. 

"Jesus'' love in redemption births the desire in our hearts to live for him and his glory. We reciprocate his love for us by serving him and living our lives in a way that brings honor to his holy name. True Christians do not turn the grace of God into wanton living, but they seek to make progress in their sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4; 7). 

Apostle Paul in his epistle to his prote'ge' taught us that the grace of God teaches us to live godlily in this present life and not in the opposite direction: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" (Titus 2:11-14). This passage refutes the absurd and contradictory view that the grace we have received gives us the license to sin.

Brethren, we have a every good reason to joy and rejoice in the Lord, because we know JESUS is in heaven interceding on our behalf. God bless you 

A thought to ponder

Jesus advocacy role do not only give us assurance of our salvation, it is also a source of joy and happiness to all Christians

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel