My dear 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
If you are like me, there have been times you’ve needed help and had to decide who to reach out to. When I call for help, I try to contact someone I know who is more able to handle the situation than I am. Secondly, I try to call someone close to me, who I know loves me enough to be inconvenienced by my need. These people are priceless to me.
There is one situation that none of us can handle on our own: our sins. We are guilty of resisting God. In disobeying God, we treat God with contempt and disrespect. The sin in our life makes us enemies of God and children of wrath. We deserve the punishment of our decisions.
But God, in His great mercy, has provided an Advocate for us. Scripture depicts Jesus as our legal counsel who defends us before the Judge. When the evidence of our sins is brought before the court, Jesus presents Himself as our defense. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” Jesus took our punishment upon Himself, so that we could be forgiven, our relationship with God made right, and we are made righteous children of God.
Salvation is realizing that you are powerless to make yourself right with God, and asking the Judge to have mercy upon you. God’s mercy is in the person of Jesus Christ, who died to save sinners. Would you turn from your sins and believe in Jesus today?
