I John 2:1 - “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” For those times when we as christians feel defeated by our sin, broken by our wrong choices, and beaten down by our repeated failures at trying to get it right, today’s Scripture is simply overwhelming with hope. First, it tells us that Jesus is our “advocate”. This is a word bursting with meaning. It tells us that Jesus is the One Who comes alongside in solidarity with us, expressing deep and personal alignment. He feels what we feel. He draws near with care. But second, notice when He does this. Not when we are good and victorious and have toppled our sin. The text says, “But if anybody does sin.” No, He comes to us in the middle of our sin, when we feel that we’ve lost the battle and maybe even lost His love. It is then that Jesus powerfully appears as our “advocate”. Think of it! In the midst of our sin, that is when Jesus shows up to silence the accusations of our enemy against us. This truth should absolutely inspire us, comfort us, and encourage us to hate our sin all the more and to love greater our Savior Who will never forsake us. He is our “advocate”. We are secure.