“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous…” – 1 John 2:1-2
We should realize that we have a friend at court, one who can plead the cause of our soul, one who will be our helper in every emergency. Jesus says, “When ye pray, believe that ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.” You are to come to the Father, emptying the soul of every sin and defilement, that you may prove the promises of the Lord. You cannot indulge your own temper and have your own way, and still expect to have the advantages of the children of God; you must struggle with hereditary tendencies, and yield not to temptation. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” As a child comes to its parent, so you are to come to Jesus, telling Him just what you want, presenting before Him your need of his presence and grace. The Lord has promised to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him; and as an illustration of our need, and his willingness to give, He presents before us a hungry child asking his earthly parent for bread. The question is asked, “What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?” He appeals to the tender natural affection of a parent for his child, and then says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”
Jesus knows our weakness. He is acquainted with our besetments and infirmities, and it is his delight to give us aid; for He “is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” When He was upon earth, wherever the opportunity offered, wherever He found a hungry soul, He presented the bread which came down from heaven. Worldly position, worldly honour, had no attraction for Him; but that which appealed to his heart was a soul perishing for the water of life. He had come to be the Saviour of all—Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, free and bond; and He identified his interests with those of suffering humanity. Christ and the child of humanity were to become one. He clothed his divinity with humanity, that He might impart to man the divine nature. The spirit and character of Christ are to be represented in his followers. By faith Christ is to become to the believer, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. He has said, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” One soul is of more worth to Jesus than the whole world. Let the soul look to Jesus, let him “behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” No one will be compelled to look to Christ; but the voice of invitation is sounding in yearning entreaty, “Look and live.” (1)
Charge for the Day: Today, remember that you have a faithful advocate in Jesus Christ. Approach Him with your requests, confess your sins, and ask Him to help you overcome hereditary tendencies and help you have the spirit and character of Christ.
1. Bible Echo, March 1, 1893