I Plead Guilty
Are you a fan of Court TV? Because of Court TV, individuals are able to identify the major players in the criminal court system - the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, and the jury. But there is someone intricately involved in the criminal court process who usually goes unnoticed - the victim's advocate. A victim of a crime is assigned an advocate who provides support to the victim throughout the life of a case. A victim has access to, and a voice in the criminal court proceeding through the victim's advocate (a go-between).
In the book of First John chapter 2, the writer speaks of Jesus Christ as our Advocate. We do not have direct access to the Father; Jesus is the go-between. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our secular criminal court system, it is the innocent person who is afforded an advocate. But in God's court system, it is the guilty who need an advocate. John writes, "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous..." Those who have been charged with a crime in the United States are deemed innocent until proven guilty. In God's courtroom, we are all deemed guilty as charged and we deserve a death sentence.
How do you plead? According to Romans 3:23, we have all sinned and come short of God's glory. Therefore, the correct response is: "I plead guilty." During the sentencing phase, Jesus Christ goes to the Father on our behalf and advocates for leniency (mercy). We deserve a death sentence, but our Advocate has secured a sentence of "Life" - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Father, I have sinned and fallen short so many times, but your love and your mercy towards me never fails. Thank you for redeeming me and giving me another chance. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
In the book of First John chapter 2, the writer speaks of Jesus Christ as our Advocate. We do not have direct access to the Father; Jesus is the go-between. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our secular criminal court system, it is the innocent person who is afforded an advocate. But in God's court system, it is the guilty who need an advocate. John writes, "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous..." Those who have been charged with a crime in the United States are deemed innocent until proven guilty. In God's courtroom, we are all deemed guilty as charged and we deserve a death sentence.
How do you plead? According to Romans 3:23, we have all sinned and come short of God's glory. Therefore, the correct response is: "I plead guilty." During the sentencing phase, Jesus Christ goes to the Father on our behalf and advocates for leniency (mercy). We deserve a death sentence, but our Advocate has secured a sentence of "Life" - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Father, I have sinned and fallen short so many times, but your love and your mercy towards me never fails. Thank you for redeeming me and giving me another chance. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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