The Right to an Attorney

 

T

here seems to be no end of television shows touting the prowess of the men and women of law enforcement hot on the trail of elusive criminals.  Indeed, it is almost impossible to surf through the channels without happening upon one of them or a rerun of a series from as far back as the 1970’s. 

 

No matter how sophisticated the shows, and no matter whether they are real or fictitious, all of them have something in common.  As soon as a criminal is arrested, he or she is read the Miranda Warning.  Law enforcement agents are required by law to inform a prisoner of certain rights guaranteed them.  In addition to right to remain silent, a prisoner has the right to a lawyer of his or her choosing.   If he or she is unable to afford an attorney, the court can appoint one to defend the prisoner at trial. 

 

Yesterday afternoon as I returned home from work, I found myself thinking about the Miranda Warning and the parallel that could be made to the Christian life.  One idea in idea in particular stood out in my mind and the more I thought about it, the more I sensed God encouraging me to write on this today. 

 

The idea of being represented by counsel was a picture the Apostle John painted in his first epistle.  In 1 John 2:1 we read, “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.” This is such an encouraging passage of scripture and one that should cause every Christian to be filled with thanksgiving to God for His mercy and grace. 

 

John’s purpose for writing is to encourage his readers not to sin.  But John knows human nature far too well.  He knows that sin is part and parcel of who we are, and he knows that sin comes naturally to us as part of our fleshly nature.  But he doesn’t stop there.  He says plainly that if we sin, we have an Advocate who defends us before the Father.  This is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, himself. 

 

As sinners, we find ourselves in the same position as someone arrested for a crime.  Under the Miranda Warning, criminals have the right to an attorney even if they can’t afford one.  But in our sin, we are guilty before God and we have no rights and we can’t afford an Advocate. In short, we are guilty, we have no case, and we have no one who is able to defend us.  No one defends someone who is guilty. 

 

That is where Jesus enters the picture.  He does not plead our case; he pleads his blood.  He knows we are guilty; he knows we have sinned, and he knows we cannot approach nor have a relationship with God.  So he stands in our place and uses his own blood to defend us. He forgives all our sins and expunges all charges against us.  In short, through his shed blood we become innocent with no charges against us. 

 

What a wonderful reminder of the salvation Jesus offers us.  To receive this salvation, we must accept Jesus as our personal savior, trusting in his atoning sacrifice to cleanse us from all sin.  We then can have a personal relationship with God, Himself, walking with Him each day, living a life pleasing to Him and serving as a witness to others who need God’s salvation as well.  Do you know somebody in need of a good lawyer today?  I believe I know just the advocate that person needs.  Won’t you share the good news about Jesus today?