James 2:10 – For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. (NLT)

With curiosity, I watched an interesting video showing the work of a street evangelist. Most people walked right by him, paying no attention at all. He was asking the question, "Are we good people?" There were a few who stopped to listen. The evangelist then offered a gift of five dollars to any of the bystanders willing to answer personal questions regarding the Ten Commandments. Then, the person who volunteered admitted that he was guilty of committing not only one, but several offenses, like stealing, lying, and coveting.

I was impressed by the way this preacher demonstrated how everyone has broken the law in one way or another. For example: Lust is considered equal to adultery according to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:28, and "anyone who hates his brother is a murderer", according to 1 John 3:15 (NIV). By the end of the presentation, the word "good" no longer seemed to apply to anyone since we have all missed the mark in light of God's holy standards.

These thoughts gave me a better appreciation for how much we need Jesus' high priestly ministry, interceding on behalf of all who have placed their trust in Him!

Romans 8:34 – Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (NIV 2011)

1 John 2:1 – My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. (NLT)

The apostle John also calls the Lord "our advocate", another term for "lawyer". I love the image of Jesus pleading our case before the Father's throne. Just think: Whenever "the accuser of our brethren" (Revelation 12:10 KJV) argues against us, God's Son acts in our defence. Then, the judge of all the earth will render His verdict: case dismissed!

If we have received the risen Christ into our hearts, then we can be assured that our sins will never be held against us. Because He suffered and died in our place, we have peace with God, knowing that our sins have been washed away by His precious blood. What a blessed gift of His grace!

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. We acknowledge that Your Son Jesus Christ is our great high priest Who is now sitting at Your right hand. Look not upon our sins, O Lord, but upon the faith of Your people, and grant us mercy. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and provide us with grace to overcome in times of need. We ask these things in the name of our precious Saviour, and for His sake, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lori Ciccanti <dlalsina@mchsi.com>
Ocean View, Delaware, USA
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