July 7 – Are You An Advocate?
2:188 – Are You An Advocate?
#faithbites #faithjourney advocate

What does it mean to be an advocate? The simplest definition is someone who fights on behalf of someone else. I try to fight for others and use my voice. But am I being a true advocate? Am I helping people advance or just using my voice without action.

Our church sermon series has been encounters with Christ. An underlying message of this series is advocacy. Many stories of people fighting for and seeking Jesus’s help on behalf of another. There is the story of Paralyzed Man (Luke 5:1 7-26), where his friends climbed up on a roof, cut anhile in the roof and lowered him down to be near Jesus and healed. Then there is the story of the Roman Centurion (Luke 7:1-10) where the his friends went to Jesus and told them the Centurions best slave (bond servant) was sick and needed healing.

When we say we are praying for people. This is one form of advocacy. Coming to God on their behalf asking for whatever is needed. The second part is listening when God tells us how to help them. It could be money, time, resources, talent, or just an ear to listen. We use the might of God to go out and advocate for others. It’s a mighty charge and opportunity for service.

Scripture
  • “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;John 14:16
  • Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.Proverbs 31:8-9
  • For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus1 Timothy 2:5
Reflection

God is our father and wants the best for us. We see that he gave us our first advocate, Jesus. Jesus bridges the gap between us and God. Then Jesus gives advocates to God for another helper, the Holy Spirit, to grow our faith. In these verses we see advocacy at it’s route. Then through the paralyzed man and the Roman Centurion, we see man being advocates for each other. Now, we wonder what we should do. In the Proverbs, we see where action comes in.

We should use our voice to advocate for the rights of all people. The needy, the afflicted, even the unbelievers, all need us to help them. We have an example in Christ on advocacy and we should follow it.

I am not perfect but will do what’s in my power to help others who need help.

Charge

Are you an advocate? Have you used your voice, your position, and your gifts to help others? If so, continue. If not, look for ways to begin to be like Christ and help others.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your advocacy to God. You have given us salvation. Often times, we are not an advocate or helper for others. Forgive us for this. Give us the strength and knowledge on how best to help others. We know you hear our prayers. Help us be like you and help all people. In your name, Amen.

Until next time

Need God? Find God.

Know God? Share God

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