Your Advocate

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

During a courtroom trial, a judge hears evidence they will use to decide if the accused, the defendant, is guilty of the crime committed. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, which is the job of the prosecution to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

To have a fair trial, the accused has the right to a lawyer who represents them and presents their side of the story. In the ancient world, these defense attorneys were called parakleton or “advocates” who provided support and advice and would plead the case to the judge.

In 1 John 2:1, Jesus is introduced as our Advocate, the one who comes alongside us to plead our case.

“We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

In this courtroom, sinners stand accused before a holy God, the divine judge, and Jesus serves as the sinner’s defense attorney. The Bible says that sin is a violation of God’s law, and since we all have sinned, the payment for that penalty is death.

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus released you and me from that penalty. Even though He had no personal sin to pay, Jesus willingly went to the cross on our behalf and paid our legal debt in full, cleansing us from all sin. If we surrender our lives to Jesus by confessing our sins and trusting Him as Lord of our lives, the verdict is “not guilty” before God, the judge.

Jesus stands ready to serve as your Advocate today. Will you accept His free pardon?

Listen to the sermon series: The Real Test

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

This week, I’ll be heading to the National Religious Broadcaster’s International Christian Media Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, with several members of our Moody Radio team. NRB is the world’s largest gathering of Christian communicators and ministry professionals that come together for a time of learning, strategizing, and fellowship. I, along with my executive producer, Judy Kron, will be sharing the vision and mission of Bold Steps with our radio constituents in hopes that they will want to add this program to their programming lineup. Pray with us for fruitful conversations and connections!