Our Advocate

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 John 2:1–6
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Our Advocate
John encourages us not to sin. So also, the church encourages the flock to examine ourselves and keep ourselves from sin. What happens when Christians do sin? Our great advocate, Jesus Christ, stands before the throne of God and pleads for us. In his righteousness, he sets a case for your righteousness and deliverance from eternal punishment. He is the propitiation for our sins. That means that he is the one that stops the wrath of God on you. His death and resurrection do this for you. The Christian keeps the Word of God. That means that Christians are readers of the Word and listeners of the Word. That means that Christians are regularly in church and often in Bible study to fill their hearts and minds with the Words of God. Indeed, the prayer of the Christian is that of King David, “Oh Lord, open thou my lips!” Now you live according to his righteousness. Now we work to keep the commandments, knowing that they are pleasing to God and beneficial to our neighbor.