1 John 2:1 “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.”
Dear Kids,
There are many experts today who purport that humans are innately good. But this is not what the Bible teaches. Ever since Adam and Eve chose to disobey God sin entered the world and infected the entire human race. The worst and the best of us now continually struggle against an inborn desire to do wrong. Outward actions condemned by society and hidden inward attitudes both reveal our fallen nature. But God’s children have recourse when we go astray.
Humans Are Not Innately Good
Sometimes I wonder why I am still shocked when I hear that a person has intentionally taken something that belongs to someone else. I guess I tend to assume everyone is honest and respectable. But unfortunately that’s not the case. There are just some people who think it’s their right to take things that don’t belong to them.
Thieves are experts at getting what they want. They will pocket pieces of jewelry or some small item from a local store when they think no one is watching. The business owners, after discovering the loss, must go back to their security cameras to try to identify the culprit. But recently I was completely floored to hear that some bold character stole another person’s chicken coop. Who does that? Who steals a chicken house? Perhaps it’s someone with homeless chickens. But more likely it is someone who has a twisted understanding of right and wrong.
Everyone Harbors Sin in His or Her Heart
While it is easy to condemn the mischief of a local thief, it is much harder to look within our own hearts and admit the sin harbored there. A prideful glance, an envious thought, a festering grudge, though unseen by others, is still sin in God’s eyes.
As God’s children we are called and given the power to live above sin, but God knows we will still stumble at times. It is not until heaven that we will finally be completely free of our tendency towards wrong. But we no longer need to fear God’s wrath and judgment. On the occasion when we do sin we have an advocate with the Father. His name is Jesus.
Jesus Our Advocate Before the Father
Jesus, our defense attorney, stands before God on our behalf and pleads our case. He has already paid the price for our sin when He died on the cross. His blood satisfies justice and we are forgiven. What an incredible gift!
Now, lest you think you are welcome to do whatever you want without regard for propriety – like harboring a bad attitude or stealing a chicken coop perhaps – think again. God’s children should always live, outwardly and internally, in a way that brings Him glory; a life free of sin. But if at some point you slip up, don’t despair: Jesus, your advocate, will plead your case with the Father. He already bore the punishment for your offense. So run to Him for forgiveness. In a world where no one is innately good He is your only recourse!
Love,
Mama
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