446. 1JN 2:1. CHRIST AN ADVOCATE

1Jn_2:1. Christ An Advocate

"An advocate with the Father."’971Jn_2:1

The epistles of John are eminently of a practical and experimental character. They are designed to illustrate and enforce the true spirit and practice of godliness. Especially we have presented to us the supreme importance of love. Love to God and love to the saints, and love to all men He does not, however lose sight of the frailties of human nature, and the imperfections of the best of saints. See ver. 8, If we say," &c. And he directs how to obtain its pardon and removal from the soul. "If we confess," &c., ver. 9. He then enforces holy vigilance and avoidance of evil, ch. 1Jn_2:1,’97"My little children." And then that the mind may not be involved in despair by contracted guilt, he presents the delightful truth of the text "And if any man sin," &c. Observe.

I. The Case supposed.

"If any man sin," &c. Sin is the transgression of the law. The law of God relates both to evils, which must be avoided, and to duties which must be performed. Now we may sin by omission of duty, or by violation of positive commands. The text, however, is addressed to the people of God, and it supposes that they may sin, yea, that if we say that we have no sin, he truth is not in us. Now this,

1. Is a universal fact.

"In many things we all offend." There is not a just man that sinneth not. We are taught continually to pray for mercy. And to go to the throne of grace for mercy, &c. There are sins of life, and how often we do what we ought not, &c. Sins of word, and how often the tongue offends. Sins of thought, secret sins of the heart, and how often these lead us from God, &c.

2. This is a most humbling fact.

We ought to repeat it with sorrow. With shame. With contrition. Our sins ought to abase and fill us with real sorrow. It is not a trifle to disobey God. To grieve our heavenly Father. To do despite to the Spirit of grace.

3. This is a fact which should not sink us in despair.

Our sins might justly bring down God’s avenging wrath. "It is of the Lord’s mercy," &c. Yet there is hope for the frail and erring followers of Jesus. There is a remedy for them. A door of hope. "A fountain opened for sin," &c. Then while they cannot be indifferent, and careless, and presumptuous, yet they need not despair. For observe, IT. The Remedy provided.

"We have an advocate," &c. An advocate is a patron or friend, who exerts his influence for another. In a court of justice, the advocate vindicates and pleads for his client. Now sin would expose the believer to eternal death. There is infinite evil in sin’97in his sin. He has no liberty or charter to do evil. Therefore God’s justice might righteously condemn him. But Christ is his advocate. He stands forth to avert the wrath he deserves, and, in doing this,

(1) He does not plead our innocency.

(2) He does not deny the charges brought forth.

(3) He does not vindicate our conduct. But he advocates the bestowment of mercy, and the communication of renewing grace. And he does this on the ground of out union to him. Faith unites the Christian to Jesus. He is in Christ. One with Christ. Christ pleads therefore his cause on the ground of his own perfect obedience to the law of God. And the sacrifice he has offered for sin. A sacrifice possessing infinite and eternal merit and efficacy. Observe then the qualifications which at our advocate Christ possesses.

1. He possesses the most exalted purity.

He stands before God, reflecting every ray of divine holiness. God beholds him with ineffable delight and approbation. This is expressed in the text, "The righteous." Not only so, but he exhibited his supreme love to his Father’s honor in magnifying the law, &c. Finishing all the work the Father gave him to do.

2. He possesses infinite knowledge.

He knows all things, wherein the honor of his saints is concerned. He sees their circumstances, perils, and enemies. He knows what is best for them. We know not what to pray for, &c. Jesus cannot err, nor omit any thing through ignorance, which is for our welfare. He knows all the mind of God, and all the need of the Christian.

3. He possesses unbounded tenderness and love.

He loveth his people with inconceivable affection. He laid down his life for them. He is the gentle and good Shepherd, who carries his lambs, &c. He breaks not the bruised reed, &c. What compassion he displayed to the woman who was a sinner, to backsliding Peter, &c. How secure then our interests in his advocacy. He will not, he cannot forget, &c. "Can a woman," &c.

4. His advocacy is most prevalent and effectual.

Him the Father ever heareth. He presents that to God more effectual than words. He appears as the lamb slain.

"Five bleeding wounds he bears,

Received on Calvary;

They pour effectual prayers,

They strongly plead for me.

Forgive, forgive, they ever cry,

Nor let that ransomed sinner die."

5. His advocacy is limited to believers.

For these only he intercedes: unbelief refuses Christ, and therefore necessarily excludes from his intercession. Faith puts the sinners’ cause into his hands. And living by faith on him, and in him, it keeps it there.

Application

1. Let the Christian rejoice and trust in the advocacy of Christ. Let him rejoice in its gratuitousness, freeness, &c.

2. We must constantly avail ourselves of it. Without it our best deeds will be rejected. And our sins separate us from God. In all things let Christ be our living advocate with the Father.

3. We invite the sinner to place his cause in Christ’s hands. Such as come unto him by faith he will in no wise cast out.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS