AN APPOINTED ADVOCATE
SHINE: Living Like a Bright Light in a Dark World / Day 16
As a kid, I spent hours in the yard re-enacting television shows with the kids in the neighborhood. Most of the time, we created our very own “cop show.” My friend would be Cagney, and I would be Lacey, or we’d flip a coin to decide who got to play Jill Munroe and Kelly Garrett on Charlie’s Angels. No one ever wanted to play Sabrina Duncan. Once the roles were decided, the arrests began. We’d never actually seen anyone handcuffed and read their Miranda rights in real life, but we knew the drill: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford one, a public defender will be appointed for you.”
If you were playing the “bad guy” for that day’s drama, you kept your mouth shut. Trying to defend yourself would only lead to your demise.
In Romans 8, Paul is creating a re-enactment of a courtroom drama for us. We are the criminals, and the Judge is Christ. However, we don’t need to defend ourselves because the Judge Himself is going to come down and stand in our defense. The restitution for our sin has already been paid in full at the cross. Our guilt is completely removed.
God will never condemn those who have put their faith in Christ. Those who look to the cross for forgiveness of sin are declared forever innocent. Our Defender defeated death itself and is seated at the right hand of God continually pleading our case. The enemy of our souls wants to keep us in bondage to self-condemnation and shame, but Christ answers every accusation against us.
At this moment in heaven, Jesus is actively interceding on your behalf. The next time your accuser tries to condemn you, remember you have an appointed Advocate who rises to your defense and has secured your freedom.
SEE: Read Hebrews 7:25. What do you learn about the work of Christ as your intercessor?
SEEK: Read John 17:6-26. What requests does Christ present to God on your behalf? Do you need His help in any of these areas?
SHINE: Read Hebrews 4:16-18. Come to the throne of grace, present your needs to Jesus, and ask for His help.
Note: I inadvertently sent out a post earlier today that was not supposed to go out until Thursday evening. Whoops! I have rescheduled it to go out on Thursday again. Sorry for the confusion.