Jesus Christ the righteous is our advocate with the Father when we sin.
Les Feldick teaches that when a believer sins, Satan immediately accuses them before God day and night, but Jesus Christ, as our advocate, defends us by reminding the Father that we are under the blood and belong to Him. This advocacy is a comforting assurance that even in our failures, we have a defender in heaven.
1 John 2:1 — This verse directly states that if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Revelation 12:10 — This verse describes Satan as the accuser of the brethren who accuses them before God day and night, providing the backdrop for why we need an advocate.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father when we sin. In 1 John 2:1, the Apostle John writes, "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." This verse indicates that even though believers are exhorted not to sin, provision is made for those times when they do. Scripture also reveals why an advocate is necessary. Revelation 12:10 describes Satan as "the accuser of our brethren" who "accused them before our God day and night." This verse shows that Satan continually brings accusations against believers in the presence of God, highlighting the need for a defender. These verses together show that Jesus Christ serves as our advocate, defending us against the accusations of Satan, and that this advocacy is rooted in His righteousness.
Les Feldick explains that when a believer sins, Satan is quick to report the failure to God, accusing the believer day and night. In response, Jesus Christ, as our advocate, comes to the Father and says, "He's under the blood" — reminding God that the believer belongs to Him and is forgiven. This advocacy is likened to an attorney or mouthpiece who speaks on our behalf. Les emphasizes that believers are still prone to sin because of the flesh, and that this truth is evident from the fact that Satan has something to accuse them of. He also notes that this advocacy is a source of comfort, but it is not a license to sin — believers are to be constantly on guard. Les highlights the Trinitarian involvement, noting that the Holy Spirit also intercedes for believers, and all three persons of the Trinity are working on their behalf.
We need an advocate because Satan, the accuser of the brethren, is constantly accusing believers before God day and night. Every time a believer sins, Satan reports it to the Lord. Les explains that this has been happening since the beginning and will continue until the midpoint of the tribulation when Satan is cast out of heaven.
When a believer sins, Jesus Christ, our advocate, comes to the Father and says, "He's under the blood" — reminding God that the believer is covered by His blood and belongs to Him. This is a comforting truth, as it assures believers that they have a defender who pleads their case.
Les stresses that having an advocate is not a license to sin. He says, "That doesn't say, well, I can go ahead and do these things because I know I have an advocate." Believers are still to be on guard and to strive not to sin, even though they will inevitably fail at times.
Satan Accuses Believers
Satan constantly accuses believers before God day and night, and every time they sin, he reports it to the Lord.
Jesus Defends the Believer
When a believer sins, Jesus Christ as advocate comes to the Father and says, "He's under the blood," defending the believer.
Believers Still Sin
Believers are still prone to sin, but they must be constantly on guard; no true believer makes up their mind to sin.
Advocate as Attorney
The advocate is like an attorney who speaks in the believer's defense against Satan's accusations.
Trinity Involved in Intercession
All three persons of the Trinity are involved in interceding for believers, including Jesus as advocate.
Satan Accuses Until the End
Satan will continue to accuse believers until they are in the Lord's presence, because they are prone to fall.
Need for Advocate Explained
We need an advocate because Satan accuses us before God, as seen in Revelation 12.
Advocate as Comfort
Having an advocate is a comfort for believers when they fail, but it is not a license to sin.
1 John 2:1: 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.
This is the key verse directly answering the question, identifying Jesus as our advocate.
Revelation 12:10: And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
This verse reveals Satan as the accuser, explaining why we need an advocate.
Jesus Christ the righteous is our advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). When we sin, He defends us before God.
We need an advocate because Satan, the accuser of the brethren, constantly accuses believers before God day and night (Revelation 12:10).
No, having an advocate is not a license to sin. Les Feldick emphasizes that believers are to be on guard and strive not to sin, even though they will fail at times.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens When Satan Is Cast Out of Heaven?