Law and Order

"Juror number 141!" I looked up from my seat in the crowded court room when I heard the judge call the juror number I had been assigned earlier that morning. My first experience with jury duty had landed me a spot in a domestic violence case in Orlando, FL. As I filed out of my row and approached the jury box, it hit me that this was the moment I had waited all those long, boring hours for. After questioning each of the potential jurors, both the prosecution and the defense had felt that I would make a suitable member of the group that would decide the case against the defendant.

I felt like I was starring in one of those TV dramas about the criminal justice system. Throughout the day, we heard opening arguments from both sides, testimony regarding the evidence and facts surrounding the case, and the closing arguments led by the defense attorney and the prosecutor. Afterwards, the jury was ushered into a small "deliberation room," where we discussed all of the points made and evidence shown as we moved toward a verdict of guilt or innocence. Although it lasted only one (LONG) day, I gained tremendous insight into the inner workings of the judicial system and got an up-close view of what I had watched play out on TV so many times.

Read 1 John 2:1-2; vs 2 is the key in this passage.

1. Think back to the latter part of chapter one (vs. 5-10). How does it relate to today's passage? Why was it best for John to write 1:5-10 before moving on to 2:1-2?


2. Verse 1 says, "These things I write to you so that you may not sin." Is that really possible to live a life without sin? Then what's the point?


3. Our spiritual defense attorney, or "Advocate" as John calls Him, is Jesus. What makes Him able to fill that role for us?


4. Jesus is our "propitiation," or a substitute offering for the sins we've committed. Do you remember to thank Him often for stepping in and taking the punishment you deserve?


5. What does this passage teach about who Christ gave up His life for?

Much like that defense attorney the jurors and I heard during the trial back in 2002, if you are saved, Christ has become your Advocate, the one who represents you before God the Father. Because He has given His life so that you can be forgiven, He is able to stand before the judge's bench of God and pronounce your innocence. Sure, it is impossible for us to live a completely blameless life, even after we are saved. But each day, we are to make perfection our goal as we consider how to think, talk, and act. What awesome love Jesus Christ displayed, as He willingly offered up His life as substitute for the sins of "the whole world"! He is indeed worthy of our praise and worship!

** Today's devo is part of a series studying through the book of 1 John.