Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

October 4– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

—1 John 2:17

Yes, even though we sin, we still have him. John does not say, “If anyone sins, he has forfeited his advocate,” but, rather, “we have an advocate,” sinners though we are. All the sin that a believer ever did or can be allowed to commit cannot destroy his interest in the Lord Jesus Christ as his advocate.

The name given to our Lord is filled with meaning. His name is “Jesus” which is the name of one whose business and delight it is to save, and this is the kind of advocate we need. The Scripture says, “They shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” His sweet name implies his success.

Next, his title is “Christ”—the Anointed One. This speaks of his authority to plead for us. The Christ has a right to plead, for he is the Father’s own appointed advocate and elected priest. If we had chosen him, he might fail; but if God appointed him, then we may safely lay our sins where God has laid his authority and power. He is Christ and, therefore, authorized; he is Christ and, therefore, qualified, for the anointing has fully equipped him for his work. When he pleads, he moves the heart of God and prevails. What words of tenderness, what sentences of persuasion will the anointed use when he stands up to plead for me!

And, finally, one more portion of his name remains: Jesus Christ “the Righteous.” He is not only righteous in character but in his legal argument. If the Righteous One is my advocate, then my cause is good, or he would not have taken the case. And his legal argument is righteous, for he meets the charge of unrighteousness against me by pleading his righteousness. He declares himself my substitute and puts his obedience to my account.

My soul, you have a friend well-fitted to be your advocate. He can only succeed; so, leave yourself entirely in his hands. [M&E]