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You Need a Lawyer!

1John 2:1 Little children, I write these things to you that you may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

In any human courts of law there are a number of elements present:

-          the accused

-          the prosecution

-          the defense

-          the judge

An “Advocate” is someone who legally represents an accused person before the judge. This is the one who is to plead the case of the accused and either tries to get his client off or at the very least obtain a reduced sentence. The advocate presents the facts of the case to the court in such a way as to prove the innocence of his client. The prosecution has the function of presenting the facts that will condemn the accused and elicit a judgment from the Judge. The prosecution seeks punishment for the accused; the advocate seeks liberation of the accused.

If any may think themselves to be “sinless and perfect” or have attained a level of “sanctification” where they are “always acceptable” before the Lord, then there is no need to read any further. You think you’ve “arrived” and have no need of any legal representation at the throne of God; and anything I say will be of no consequence to you.

However, if there is an honest assessment of ones life, then the truths here revealed are a comfort and give us hope. God has provided for us an “advocate” – a court appointed lawyer to represent us before the court of heaven. Our accuser the devil is also there – “accusing day and night”. This accuser is relentless; he has an army of spies watching and trying to trip us up so that he can have something to use against us in condemnation. Unfortunately; although he is a liar – and Jesus said so – before the courts of heaven he cannot lie but presents valid facts of our sin and failure. Yes dear ones – we can and do fail and are accused every day before God by the enemy of our souls – and we stand “guilty as charged”.

YIKES – what a dilemma! Aren’t we forgiven of sin? Aren’t we children of God? What gives Satan the right to accuse us before God? So my goose is cooked? The strength of the prosecution’s accusation is the Law. Believe it or not, Satan knows the scriptures better than anyone of us. He is known to use it against God’s people – misquoted or taken out of context often. He even used the scriptures to temp the Lord Jesus. Temptation is powerless unless there is at the time a valid need. For Jesus it was physical hunger. For us the need is varied – but the temptation to bypass God’s appointed means and break the law is real at the time. The uneasiness and self-condemnation that often follows a failure is proof positive we have sinned and are being accused by the enemy.

This is where our “court appointed legal council shines”! Picture in your mind if you will:

Court is in session. The Judge is seated on the “bema seat”. You are seated – guilty! – and you know it. The prosecution is there, grinning evilly since he has a pile of indisputable evidence against you. You feel so helpless and fearful. How can I get out of this? Who’s going to listen to me? I have no defense for my actions; what to do? There’s a shuffle and a murmur from behind as the door opens and your defense lawyer enters the room. His record as an Advocate is legendary. He has never yet lost a case. Maybe you have had some experience with this “Advocate” before – but this time you really “blew it”. This time you feel sure the judgment will go in favor of the prosecution.

The proceedings start: Judge; this person did this or that. Here’s the evidence. Photos are displayed – maybe even a video clip. Fingerprints, DNA evidence, witnesses; it’s all there – you’re guilty!

The courtroom is hushed. Prosecution is done. The evidence was well documented and presented. Everyone knows; including you; that only a guilty sentence should be expected. You wish you had heeded the Word of the Law and never done what you did. It’s done and now you must face the consequences.

Your advocate rises. Everyone waits with bated breath to hear what He has to say. “Judge”, He says; “My client is well guilty of the charges, but you well know that some time ago I paid the penalty for all his past and future failures. I make all my resources available for his benefit. According to Law a life for a life; I gave my life for him/her – there is therefore now no condemnation. The prosecutor knows this, but persists in trying to condemn my client.”

The court is silent. What will the Judge decree? Consulting the Law Books the Judge says: “If the accused admits to the charges and submits to your oversight, he is free to go and no further action will be taken. If he maintains his innocence, he has incarcerated himself and will lose the liberty that could be his. This is my ruling. This court credits the standing of the Advocate to the accused.”

The accuser leaves the courtroom with his tail between his legs – once again he has been soundly defeated by the Great High Priest.

We have such an Advocate; His name is Jesus. He gave His life on Calvary so we could stand free and un-condemned before Almighty God. “He ever lives to make intercession for us.” He will always be heard and accepted in heaven’s courtroom. He is the guarantee that we will never come into condemnation. What a comfort. Confess your  faults and failings to Him and you will experience the cleansing, freedom and forgiveness that is yours.