Each one of us is accountable to the Father for the sinful things we do. Thing is, we probably live each day not mindful at all that we have broken the law and have offended God. And for the laws we break, have you even thought that we may need counsel to represent and defend us before our Judge and King?

The Bible states in I John 2:1 that if any believer sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. As a believer in Christ, I have gone through many thoughts and feelings when I know that I have offended God and yet claim to be His believer and follower, especially under the watchful gaze of unbelievers.

I’ve been judged as narcissistic, inconsiderate, proud, self-centered, impatient, unkind, and who knows what else?! Guilty! I am all of those, and it bothers me that I bear the name of Jesus Christ and yet defame His name. The enemies of Christianity are looking for every opportunity to find a believer’s faults and justify why they don’t believe in God.

As someone has said, believers are not sinless, they just sin less. Hopefully at least. When I know I’ve disappointed the Lord, I find myself shamed. I get embarrassed to the core. I find it difficult to forgive myself.

But thank God! When Jesus died on the cross for me, He fully forgave all of my sins, and I just need to claim it. Why beat myself up when Jesus does not? That’s how great His love is! This does not give me license to sin more, but because I bear His name, my desire is to sin less. I turn to Jesus who died for me. He defends me before the Father. I am no longer condemned. Yes, I am a sinner who needs a Savior and none of my own efforts will make me perfect. Thank You, LORD, for Jesus!

I JOHN 1:9 NKJV
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I JOHN 2:1
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.