My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2 ESV)

The advocacy of Jesus is a remarkable gift of grace and often one that is left unclaimed by many. In short, he paid off our debt of sin that was only satisfied by death. The consequence is the same for all sin regardless of its category. A lie, a robbery, and murder are all treated equally even when we think it is unfair, violating the principle that the punishment should fit the crime. The sentence of death is an equalizer that leaves no room for contradicting God’s purity. He does not tolerate any evil and therefore wipes it out by putting it to death. If he allowed evil to remain alive, then what would that say about his character and his name? It would mean that he condones sin, which we know that he doesn’t because “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

To live a sinless life is an impossible standard because it demands that we live perfectly under the laws of God. And for that reason, we can be turned off by Scripture and Christian virtue because there is no one on earth that can completely live by God’s standard.

In his infinite wisdom, he knows what he requires of us is unattainable and his laws are irrevocable, and so he planned a way for us to be redeemed. He would pay the debt himself by living a perfect and sinless life in human form, sharing his ardent love and intentions with all, and then dying as a pure sacrifice to atone for the sins of everyone. Jesus’ advocacy for us was not impulsive or cheap; it cost him his life to save us from an unimaginable punishment that he never wants us to see or experience. Through his passion and its retelling by many believers, he advises us to have a true life by following him.