October 4

“Jf any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” — 1 John ii. 1.

“^Ifi^-’^ sin, we have an advocate.” Yes, though I we sin, we have Him still. John does not say, “If any man sin, he has forfeited his advocate,” but “we have an advocate,” sinners though we arc. All Iho 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 here given to the Lord is suggestive — “Jesus.” Ah! then He is an advocate such as we need, for Jesus is the name of one whose business and delight it is to save. They shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins; “His sweetest name implies His success. Next, it is “Jesus Christ” — Chrisi ps, the anointed. This shows His authority to plead. The Christ has a right to plead, for He is the Father’s own appointed advocate and elected priest. If He were of our choosing He might fail, but if God hath laid help upon one that is mighty, we may safely lay our trouble where God has laid His help. He is Christ, and therefore authorized; He is Christ, and therefore qualified, for the anointing has fully fitted Hiin for His work. He can plead so as to move the heart of God and prevail. What woi’ds of tenderness, what sentences of persuasion, will the anointed use when He stands up to plead for me! One more letter of His name remains — “Jesus Christ the righteous.” This is not only His character, but His plea. It is tlia character, and if the Righteous One be my advocate, then my cause is good, or He would not have espoused it. It is His plea, for He meets the charge of unrighteousness against me by the plea that He is righteous. He declares Himself my substitute, and puts His obedience to my account. My soul, thou nast a friend well fitted to be thine advocate; He but succeed; leave thyself entirely in His hands.