THE ADVOCATE

 

When man goes before the ‘judgment bar’ and faces God, ‘the Judge of all’ we will each need a ‘defense attorney’ (2 Nephi 33:15; Alma 11:44; Hebrews 12:23). Being this ‘defense attorney’ is one of the Saviour’s roles we should understand and revere the most. It is the role of the Advocate.

When we stand before the Great Judge, we will be accused of being imperfect and unworthy to enter God’s presence because “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The Saviour will stand beside us as our Advocate to plead for mercy for us but with a huge difference.

In an earthly judicial system, the defense lawyer pleads the cause on the basis that the client is innocent. In the case of eternal judgment, this is an impossibility because God knows everything, therefore, he knows that there is no innocence in any of us. When the Saviour steps forward to plead our case, He will not be pointing to our lack of guilt; rather He will be bringing the Father’s attention to His own righteousness and sinless state. This is the difference. This will be the plea:

“Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of Him who thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life” (D&C 45:3-5; Hebrews 7:25; D&C 38:4; 110:4).

This is parental love, this is utmost protection, this is unfathomable sacrifice of a Father for His spiritually begotten children. Consider this story:

“On more than one occasion, a devoted mother pleaded with Abraham Lincoln for the life of a son who had committed a serious offense while serving in the Union forces. Often, touched by that mother’s own sacrifice for her country, Lincoln granted the pardon. Perhaps he thought, “Not for your sons’s sake, but for your sake I will pardon him”.

“Likewise, God the Father must have been deeply moved by the incomparable sacrifice of the Saviour. Like the mother who pleaded for the life of her son, the Saviour pleads for the spiritual lives of His spiritual children.” (Tad R. Callister, “The Infinite Atonement”, p 326)

Imagine the indescribable sorrow of standing before the judgment bar of God with no one to protect you and to plead for mercy for your eternal welfare and existence. Imagine standing there all alone, belonging to no one. This need never be if we just believe on His name and accept His path to salvation. He is our hope, He is the way, the truth, the life.

 

Like a bird in flight

My sins ascend to Thee;

Rising from the ashes of mortality,

They seek Thy love to set them free.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Son of Man by Chris Brazelton)

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

 

I want to testify of the sacred role of the Holy Ghost who reveals all truth to the true followers of Jesus Christ……the Revealer, the Comforter, the Spirit of God, by whom all revelation is given to the children of men through his power.

It came to me recently to understand something that has corrected my misunderstanding of the Saviour’s nature. For a while now I have been of the opinion that the Saviour is excessively merciful and tolerant towards us. This error was brought to my attention unexpectedly through the story of King David. I don’t know why, but this story flooded my mind, in the middle of the night as I slept, and taught me something I had not seen before.

To recap…..there was not a king who loved the God of Israel more than King David. When he conquered Jerusalem he brought the ark of the covenant into the city ‘with gladness’ and led a procession of Israelites playing instruments, shouting, singing and dancing ‘before the Lord with all his might’ in praise of the God he worshipped (2 Samuel 6:12-15). No king of Israel was more free from idolatrous inclinations or practices than David. Because of this, he became the standard of excellence that all subsequent kings came to be measured by.

David’s valour and his accomplishments as a king were outstanding. His reign is known in the annals of history as ‘the golden age of Israel’. His love for the God of Israel can leave you breathless through the psalms he wrote about him. And who can forget his valiant Israelite spirit as he slew Goliath exclaiming: “Is there not a cause in Israel?”

David’s fall from grace we know well. What is less observed in that moment of history is his godly sorrow and repentance. Equally impressive is his rejoicing and his hope of a lesser degree of eternal reward praising God because ‘He will not leave his soul in hell’ (Acts 2:25-26). This hope of the resurrection of the unjust is known as ‘the sure mercies of David’ (see Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, p 272).

I can think of no one who would have wept more when this tragedy unfolded than the Saviour himself. To lose someone with so much promise and faithfulness would have been agonizing to Him. If there was anyone the Saviour could have been excessively merciful to, it would have been David. But where would that have left Uriah, and his innocent blood that was spilt? One truth remains….mercy cannot rob justice (Alma 42:25).

I always thought I understood the relationship between mercy and justice but now I understand it at a deeper level because I was taught through the medium I would understand. David’s story has always tugged at my heart.

Can you see the perfect nature of a God that we worship and trust through this story? On Judgment Day, the balance between justice and mercy will be so perfect that we will not be able to question it…..for our God knows all: He knows our hearts, our capabilities, our intents, our souls, our pains, everything that could induce mercy….but yet He obeys all the laws that He himself is governed by and ensures there will be no one left without justice.

This understanding of the Saviour’s perfect character came to me through the power of the Spirit. My intent is to bear witness that the Holy Ghost can teach us what we need to know and more importantly, he can broaden our vista of knowledge of God. And this is why it is important for us to know Him: “Three things are necessary in order for a person to exercise faith in God unto life and salvation: 1. The idea that He actually exists; 2. A correct idea of His character, perfections, and attributes; 3. An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to His will.” – Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, Lecture Third.

 

ODE TO THE GOD WHO SEES MY SOUL:
You who know me well
Teach me all that I need
And send me Him
My soul to feed.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Spirit of God by LDS ART)