“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1).
I enjoy courtroom drama on reality TV. The prosecutor lays out his case and asks that the defendant be punished to the full extent of the law. Then the defense attorney pokes holes in the prosecution’s case and presents the other side of the story. The apostle John pointed out that Jesus is our Defense Attorney. Once Jesus speaks up in our defense God, the Judge, throws the case against us out of court.
The apostle Paul showed that the Cross of Christ is where all charges against us were set aside. “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).
In addition Jesus has not only forgiven us of our sins but He has given us the gift of His righteousness. “How much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17).
Every believer has Jesus as a Defense Attorney and Jesus has indisputable facts to present on our side. First, the charges against us were removed at the Cross. Second, we have been given the gift of His righteousness. For those who have believed in Jesus we have nothing to fear when we stand before God. God declares us “Not Guilty.” That’s why Paul could say, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
