SPECIAL WEEKEND THOUGHT: 👉 Living With a Spiritual Advocate 📖
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BibleStudyCam
 March 22 2025
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    “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 NIV)

    “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17a NIV)

    “Earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest! Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.” (Job 16:18-21 NIV)

    In our world today, it is becoming less acceptable to support people who are outside of the "accepted" class. While the rhythms in society have lessened compared with a few years ago, it would not surprise me if the next big "social outrage" brings a new wave of hostility towards anyone who associates with the "other" side.

    However, when Jesus stepped into history in the first century, He modeled a different attitude. Jesus was willing to associate with anyone and everyone. Jesus was willing to help all those who were interested in receiving His help. In an amazing way, Jesus stepped down to earth to be an Advocate for God when God's reputation was being damaged by those who were more interested in achieving political power than on representing God.

    But Jesus' advocacy did not stop there. After He returned to Heaven, He stepped into the role of Advocate for humanity -- specifically for those willing to accept Him. Jesus was an Advocate for God while He was here on earth, and He is an Advocate for humanity after returning to Heaven.

    Since Jesus is representing us in Heaven, we have nothing to fear regarding the judgment IF we stay aligned with Him. While intentionally aligning with Jesus might bring hostility our way in this sin-filled world, a century of hostility (though usually much less) is nothing when compared with millennia of rewards in a sinless world.

    However, Jesus is not the only Advocate in the Godhead. On the night of His arrest, Jesus promised His followers that He would send an Advocate to take His place. This Advocate is usually called the Holy Spirit. While Jesus is advocating for us in Heaven, the Holy Spirit is advocating for God and us here on earth. The Holy Spirit is the perfect spiritual Advocate for us because He can come into our heart, our lives, and He can transform us from the inside.

    Also, Jesus is the perfect Advocate for us in Heaven. He is familiar with what life is like in a sin-filled world, and He defeated Satan, sin, and even death. Because of this, we can claim the cry of Job when this life is filled with hostility: "Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend..." 📖 🙏 ✝️ ✅

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