“My little children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2: 1-2 NIV84)
“I need to call my lawyer!” While some among us likely have thought or spoken those words in unfortunate life situations, we most likely associate that statement with real-life or television court dramas. It is then often uttered by someone arrested who is in urgent need of legal representation and counsel.
However, in 1 John 2, these are words God’s humble, sin-challenged, yet beloved “little children” utter often in faith—both in public worship and privately in our hearts. Every time we confess our sins and seek God’s mercy, we are calling our heavenly Lawyer, our “Advocate . . . Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (verse 1)
Fully aware of the value of a good earthly defense lawyer, we seek one who is savvy, experienced, and who truly cares about defending and exonerating his client. And yet, the qualifications of our divinely appointed heavenly Lawyer vastly exceed that. Jesus is the “Righteous One”—the holy, perfect Savior Who Himself lived and died for all spiritual lawbreakers with His sin-atoning sacrifice on Calvary’s cross. No matter how many or great the sin charges, Jesus’ all-sufficient sacrifice covers them all.
That makes Jesus also our perfect “Advocate,” or Defense Lawyer, when we stand before the heavenly court. While earthly attorneys defend their clients with a variety of legal approaches, our heavenly Advocate’s defense is truly unique. Jesus urges His clients not to defend themselves, not to deny the divine Law charges nor to dispute the overwhelming evidence of guilt, and not to look for a plea deal. Rather He tells us to freely confess our sins, plead guilty and throw ourselves on the mercy of the court.
The Apostle explained why earlier (see 1 John 1:7-9, compare also Romans 8:32-34). Because our Advocate is also our Savior, Who “represented” us in the ultimate way, God “delivered Him up for us all” (Romans 8:32 NIV84) as “the atoning sacrifice” (1 John 2:2 NIV84) and Christ “died and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV84) and “is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34 NIV84) “It is God Who justifies . . .Who then can condemn us?” (Romans 8:33, 34 NIV84) “God will see the suffering of His soul and will be satisfied. By His knowledge, My righteous Servant will justify many” (Isaiah 53:11 NIV84). Indeed, true and absolute justice has been done in Christ.
And this divine court ruling of the sinner’s justification (not-guilty verdict) will stand forever. It cannot be appealed or overturned, even by the mightiest evil principalities and powers themselves. Our victorious Savior lives and continues to “advocate” for us and for every client who humbly repents and in faith comes to the cross for mercy and forgiveness. How blessed we are to have our own wonderful heavenly legal counsel team at work for us. Don’t hesitate to make the call!
is a retired pastor and a member of the CLC Board of Doctrine. He lives in St. Paul Park, Minnesota.