[December 4th, 1859.]
I. Sin is always represented in Scripture as a very great evil,—as degrading the soul, as producing all misery, as separating us from God, as justly deserving his wrath and curse.
Viewed in the light of our own judgment, it is seen to be all that the Scriptures declare it to be. As seen by God, it is proportionately offensive in his sight. The opposition of his nature to sin is inevitable and necessary. It is infinitely great; and his justice renders the condemnation of the sinner inevitable.
II. All men are sinners.—We, of course, are among the number. Our sins are numerous, inexcusable and greatly aggravated. We cannot deny them. We cannot cancel them. We cannot atone for them. We are in a state of hopeless condemnation. Hopeless, because just.
III. We therefore need an advocate;—that is, one who has a right to appear before God for us, and who is qualified to plead our cause at his tribunal. No one can do this for himself. No man can do it for his fellow-man. No creature can do it for his fellow-creature.
IV. We have an advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous.—He is qualified for this office, 1. Because he is the Son of God; a divine person; entitled to appear before God, whose intercession must be right and sure to be heard. His divinity gives infinite dignity and worth to his work, and efficacy to all he does in our behalf.
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He is the Son of Man; clothed in our nature, and therefore able to obey and suffer in our stead, and to sympathize in our infirmities.
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He is righteous and a propitiation for our sins. He has done all that justice and holiness require in order to our pardon and acceptance. The plea which he is thus enabled to present is a sufficient one. It is not only sure to be heard, but it must be heard. It cannot be righteously disregarded. This plea is not only effectual for some, but for all in whose behalf it is urged. It is of force for all who come unto God. So that no man has a right to say there is no ground for his acquittal, though there may be ground for the acquittal of others. Christ’s righteousness is not only of infinite value, but is equally available or suitable for all mankind.
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This advocate, so exalted, so tender, furnished with an availing plea, with such solid reasons why those for whom he pleads should not be condemned, ever lives to make intercession for us. His advocacy is uninterrupted, and will never fail. He never can be absent from the court in which our case is to be decided.
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He is always accessible. We can at all times go to him, at all times find him, no matter where we are or what may be the emergency.
This doctrine is presented by the apostle not as an encouragement to sin, but as a ground of consolation for those who desire to forsake their sins.
He acts for those who come to him for pardon, sanctification and salvation. For those who desire to continue in sin, he does not act unless it be to bring them to apply to him for help.
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