Voices From the Past #21

But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

In the office of advocate, one man is empowered to plead for another before a judicial court when he has been accused by an enemy. Christ exercises the office of advocate when his child is found guilty before God of some heinous sin in his life and conversation. This is the time for Christ to stand up and plead for David. Can David's sin stand with grace? Is it possible that a man that has done as he has, should yet be found a saint, and in a saved state? Can God forgive him and yet be holy and just? Can the merits of the Lord Jesus reach a man in this condition? Here is the case of a man whose salvation, by his foul offences, was made doubtful. But now let Christ stand up and plead. David was afraid that God would cast him away, and the devil hoped he would. Satan charged him before God's face that he might get the sentence of damnation to pass upon his soul. But this was David's mercy, he had an advocate to plead his cause. By Christ's wisdom and skill he was forgiven those heavy charges that by the law of sin and death were due to him. This is one of the greatest mysteries under heaven - that an innocent and holy Jesus should take in hand to plead for such an one before a just and righteous God, that he should plead for such an one against Satan's accusation, and effectually rescue and get him off from his crimes and the curse which he was truly guilty by the verdict of the law.

John Bunyan, Works, I:153-160, Voices from the Past, Richard Rushing, ed., Banner of Truth Trust, 2009, pg. 147. (emphasis mine)