November 16, 2025

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1–2

Throughout Scripture, much of the language comes from the courtroom. We see judgment seats, verdicts of condemnation and justification, and repeated reminders that everyone will stand before God and give an account for their lives—their actions, choices, and even their words.

“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36–37

For those of us who speak often, quickly, or carelessly, this is sobering.

Scripture even warns us of “the accuser of our brethren… who accuses them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10).

1 John 2 brings us into God’s courtroom. The prosecutor is Satan, presenting every charge based on every sin we have ever committed.

“…standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.” Revelation 20:12

But standing before God on our behalf is the greatest Advocate in all of history—Jesus Christ the righteous. He is our defense attorney, pleading our case. More than that, He is our case. Our defense is not that we are innocent, but that the full penalty for every sin has already been paid. Our sins, “not in part but in whole,” were nailed to the cross.

As Paul writes, “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13

Like Hamilton Burger in Perry Mason, Satan loses every case he brings against believers in Christ. But we have an Advocate far greater than the fictional Perry Mason—we have Jesus Christ the righteous. Even now, He is interceding for all who trust in Him. And with perfect success, He secures our acquittal. The Judge declares us innocent on the basis of Christ’s blood and counts all who place their hope in Him as righteous in His sight.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9