Our Great Advocate

Have you considered the gravity of the truth that God is our Advocate? Job did. Even in the midst of all his difficulty, he continued to believe in God as his advocate. From his despair, he still proclaimed, “Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is on high.” (Job 16:19) He did not understand why God was allowing him to suffer so greatly, but he never quit believing that God knew the truth of his life and was ultimately on his side.

What Job didn’t realize at the time was that God was more than an all-knowing witness to his righteousness. In the New Testament, a different word is used for advocate, a word meaning one called alongside to help. Christ used this word when he told His disciples in John 14:16, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” The Greek word Jesus used for Helper is paraklhton, meaning one called to one’s side, to plead one’s cause, to serve as an intercessor, and to assist. After Christ’s resurrection, the Holy Spirit was given to inhabit those who would believe in Jesus, to serve as a helper, or advocate.

John understood the depth of Christ’s teachings and went on to relay God’s word to new believers. In his second epistle, he encourages new believers in Christ to walk through life in the same manner Jesus walked, a walk of obedience to God’s commands. He tells them that they “have an Advocate (paraklhton) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” He knew Jesus was his own advocate and an advocate for all believers. Like Job, John understood that God is our advocate, the all-knowing witness to our lives, the one omniscient God who knows the truth about our lives even when we are falsely accused. But, John was also entrusted with Jesus’ teaching that God loves us so much, He chooses to be more than just a witness to our lives, but an active advocate, one who acts on our behalf. God acted on our behalf when he provided Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins. Jesus then advocates for us by continually praying for us, interceding to the Father on our behalf, and standing at His right hand, serving as the sacrificial bridge between our earthly state and our heavenly home. And God provides the Holy Spirit, His holy presence and guide during our earthly walk; and as our guide, the Spirit is our personal advocate here on earth.

As God the Father, Jesus the Christ and the Holy Spirit are separate persons yet one entity, we can be assured that we have all three advocating for our best interests. God provides. Jesus prays. The Spirit leads. Wow! How blessed we are as believers in Jesus! Upon reflecting on this truth today, God prodded me, “I am your advocate. Are you mine?” I stand humbled. How awesome to know that God in three persons is advocating for me each and every day. How actively do I advocate for Him?