The Advocate

When our time of judgment comes, when we have to stand before our Maker and give an accounting of our lives, our sins, it is the greatest comfort to know that we will be well represented. The Judge's Son will be our representative, our advocate, our lawyer, if you will. Jesus was a "son of the law," which is the meaning of bar mitzvah. Even at 12 He amazed the Jewish elders with his knowledge and understanding of the Law and the Prophets. So, in a very real sense we will be represented by the very best Jewish lawyer that faith can buy. And you know what, He will "get us off!" He, and only He, can keep us from paying the terrible price for our own misdeeds. Jesus will plead our case before the Judge (a very close personal relative of his), and the clincher is that He, our advocate, has already paid the price for our sins. Our sentence will be commuted, because our Lawyer, himself, has served our sentence -- death-- by his own death. Because he has already been executed at human hands, we will escape divine retribution! What an incredible mystery, an amazing irony, an "amazing grace!"

Daniel 7.9 - I watched while thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days - the Almighty God - sat down to judge. Millions of angels ministered to him and hundreds of millions of people stood before him waiting to be judged. Then the court began its session and The Books were opened.

Psalm 50.6 - God will judge them with complete fairness, for all heaven declares that he is just.

Psalm 82.1 - God stands up to open heaven's court. He pronounces judgment on the judges.

Jeremiah 12.1 - O Lord, you always give justice when I bring a case before you to decide.

Jeremiah 51.36 - And the Lord replies; I will be your lawyer; I will plead your case.

Lamentations 3.58 - O Lord, you are my lawyer! Plead my case! For you have redeemed my life.

Romans 14.10,12 - Remember, each of us will stand personally before the Judgment Seat of God.

2 Corinthians 5.10 - For we must all stand before Christ to be judged and have our lives laid bare - before him. Each of us will receive whatever he deserves for the good or bad things he has done in his earthly body.

1 Peter 4.17 - The time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God's own children. And if we who are Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed in the Lord? If the righteous are barely saved, what chance will the godless have?

Romans 3.22 - God says he will accept and acquit us - declare us "not quilty" - if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins.

1 John 2.01 - We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.

John 16.10-11 - There is righteousness available because I go to the Father; there is deliverance from judgment because the prince of this world has already been judged.

2 Timothy 4.8 - Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Ephesians 2.4-5 - But God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved.

Hebrews 4.16 - Let us be brave then, and approach God's throne where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace.