Defender/Advocate

Last night was our last night of connect group for the spring; we take a summer break.  I wish I could have recorded it because so many good things were said last night.

So I’ll try to remember a few.

I believe this is why small group is so important.  We get our thoughts out about God.  Sometimes they are wrong, and when we are in a safe place we can look at them again and see if we think they need to be corrected.

I believe connect group is also a great place for people to live out life.  To be challenged, to struggle, to sin, to seek forgiveness, to hear His truth about who they are, and to be restored.

God has been teaching me a lot about longevity of life.  Not necessarily that we are here for a long time, but sometimes we endure things that are long and having people around you to advocate for you are so important in those seasons.

I have those people in my life, but I don’t always tap into that power.  I wait until I’m in a place that I really need someone and then pour all my junk out.

Our passage this week was 1 John 2:1-2:

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. ² He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

Jesus is our advocate.  So we can come to Him because He will defend us.  We are guilty of sin, but we have a Savior that will come to our rescue and defend our case.  And we will be proven guilt free by His payment on the Cross-for us.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Yes, we are coming into the King’s Presence when we draw near to Him, but we are coming not to receive judgment but mercy and grace to help us.  And just as God has placed people in our lives we can share with, we also have a great counselor in Him who longs to meet with us, who longs for us to be honest.

Share your deepest struggles with Him; in His Presence there is acceptance, love, grace and mercy.  We need these things.  We need Him.