“The Righteous Advocate!”

“The Righteous Advocate!”(I Jn. 2:1-6).
A man was arraigned to court for a theft of fifty million francs CFA. He told his defense counsel that he actually stole the money and that if the counsel could secure his freedom he, would share the money with him 50/50. The lawyer defended him very well. He won the case and was good to go. Out of court the lawyer now demanded his twenty-five million francs share. The criminal asked why he should give him the money. He asked the lawyer, “Were you not the same person who argued very strongly that I did not steal any money? As you said in court, I did not steal any money and I have nothing to give you.”
I used to hear it said that “God’s case, no appeal!” There truly can be no appeal because there is no higher place of justice that can counter God’s decision. Interestingly, God has provided a Defense Counsel for all potential defaulters. It is in this regard that John wrote to us to remind us that we should not sin. “But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and…also for the sins of the whole world…” We have a Defense Counsel. He is unlike the defense counsels we know who concoct convincing lies that can free a criminal. Our Defense Counsel is a Righteous One. It means he can only defend with truth, pleading leniency after acquiescing that the defendant is guilty as charged.
That notwithstanding, sin is abhorrent and should not be recurring to a believer. The fact that we have an Advocate is not a license for disobedience to God’s commands. John says, “We know we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.
“This is how we know that we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
Dear friend, do an autocritique as you ask yourself, “Am I a liar to say I know God, or God’s love is truly made complete in me?”
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit keep working in me so that I should obey God’s word and walk as Jesus did. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
PS: We regret that we could not feed you yesterday. We were in the skies since Tuesday noon till Wednesday evening. Thank God we are back to base. Shalom!