To say Kelly Minter’s “What Love Is” Bible Study is speaking to me would be an understatement! It is the study of 1, 2 and 3 John.
Today we settled in on these verses:
“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.” I John 2:1-2
She points out that Jesus meets us, “not at our point of achievement–but at our point of failure!” What a comforting thought. Kelly Minter goes on to expound on this person who is our advocate:
“Typically we need an advocate who holds a position we don’t, has power we don’t possess, is granted access to people we can’t get to, has influence we’re without. This is why John’s reference to Jesus as the Righteous Advocate is so critical! As sinners, laid bare before a holy God, we need Someone who has what we don’t—righteousness.”
I have no idea how many times Jesus has stood in the gap for me over my life. Not only did He do this for me at salvation, but a million times more when I needed His protection, His guidance, when I needed course correction or a door thrown open that I had no ability or strength to even know was out there!
I am reminded of Romans 8:26-27 (which has come up three separate times this week):
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
….according to the will of God. I am so thankful for the Spirit of God who prays for me in ways I cannot comprehend. I pray I have a humble heart that trembles at His Word and recognizes that I need Jesus Christ as my Advocate and the Spirit of God interceding for me. In these ways He is giving me life that is truly life when I would, unfortunately, settle for so much less.