Years ago a tract was in circulation which has now long been out of print and unobtainable. It was entitled, "The Advocate or the Accuser; which side do you take?" or words to that effect. Salt words for every saint were found in its few sentences, and one could wish that it were still being passed around.* *Its striking title was one which left its mark upon the reader- as it was intended to do, I doubt not. Perhaps some reader can supply the publisher of this magazine with a copy of the useful little paper, so that he may send it forth on a further mission of usefulness.*
Shall we consider the subject for a little together, that we may decide what answer we can give to the serious question asked by the writer :"The Advocate or the Accuser; which side do you take?"
And let us remind ourselves that it is Christians of whom the enquiry is made and with regard to their fellow-believers. "For or against" them, how do I stand? Christ is FOR them; SATAN is against them:on which side am I?
THE ADVOCATE (1 John 2:2).
What are the saints to Christ? He describes them Himself as, "The excellent of the earth," and declares that in them is all His delight (Ps. 16:3). He loves them all, and gave His life for them all at Calvary, enduring the awful judgment of God on their behalf. Now having finished the great work of atonement He is risen again from the dead and lives in the glory of God in constant service for their blessing. He ever makes intercession for them, never forgetting the lowest and least of all His own. He is the Great High Priest who succors, sympathizes with, and saves to the uttermost each one of His beloved people through all their pilgrim way, maintaining them in the time of their weakness and weariness. Then if any one of them sins He is his Advocate with the Father and recovers him from his wandering. Thus from beginning to end of their earthly path He is on the side of His people, and stands as in their interest while they are here in the world of His rejection, and soon He will come to take them to share with Him in all His joys in the Father's house.
This ministry of love, past, present and future, is for all His own. It is in no wise limited to any select company or particular few. Every member of His Body is dear to Him. He loved the whole assembly and "gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
He is thus the Lover, the Shepherd, the Helper of each one of His saints, and is always on their side for their aid and good. Each and all of them may say, '"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear."
THE ACCUSER (Rev. 12:10).
Satan on the other hand is the antagonist of Christ and of every one who is His. He hates them all as being the followers of Christ, and opposes them at every turn, and at every time. He is "the Accuser of the brethren day and night." He works against them ceaselessly and unsparingly. He is brought before us in this character of enmity again and again in the Scriptures. Thus it is that we see him against Job; against Joshua the high priest; against the disciples, especially Peter, and we find him presented as acting as informer against the children of God at all times and in all dispensations. He is their implacable foe, never failing to say his worst and do his worst against the godly.
Now on which side are we found ranging ourselves. Do we contend on behalf of our fellow-Christians, or against them? Do we occupy our thoughts and tongues with that which is good in them, or with that which is evil? Do we defend them or commend them? Are we advocates or accusers? Which is it, day by day? If we observe that which is wrong in our brother's conduct, do we go to God on his behalf and then seek to wash his feet? Or do we speak or write about his failure to one another? We are in danger of allowing the natural evil of our hearts to show itself by occupation with evil rather than with good, and in allowing our tongues to originate or circulate some wrong concerning another, if we differ from him in some particulars. Of old the one was commended who took not up (nor received) a reproach against his neighbor (Ps. 15:3);and the command was given, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people" (Lev. 19:6). We all need these words of warning today as they were needed in that day. It is Satanic work to belittle or malign a Christian, and every child of God should beware lest he be found doing Satan's service in spreading an evil report concerning a fellow- believer.
It is well for us ever to look at one another "from the top of the rocks." Hired by Balak to curse the people of Israel, Balaam sought to pronounce evil against them. For the wages of unrighteousness he would be their accuser. But the curse was turned into a blessing. God would defend His people, and their enemy was made to tell of the fact that God had not seen perverseness in Israel nor iniquity in Jacob. He would have nothing but good spoken of them. He knew all that was of evil in them, and would correct them on account of it, but in the presence of the foe He would protect them as though they were perfect. So it should be with us as we regard every one of those who belong to Christ. All that He does for His loved ones is done in love. And so would He have it with us. "Let all your things be done in love," is His exhortation. If this were carried out how much that is said would be left unsaid, and the sin of the failing brother or sister would lead us to turn to God in prayer for the erring one. Samuel could say to the sinning Israelites, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." He had been given the place of intercessor for the people, and would not cease to use it on their behalf. He took their part even though they slighted him. And this place is ours today.
The Advocate or the Accuser:which is it with us? Shall we not test ourselves day by day as to this matter, lest we be trapped into doing Satanic work rather than the work of Christ?
Let each ask of himself, Do I speak slightingly, scandalize, or write against a child of God? Or do I listen while others disparage, depreciate, defame, or blacken any of His loved ones, for whom He is the Advocate? 1
The Lord Jesus is for all the saints. He is their Advocate.
The Devil is against-all the saints. He is their Accuser.
The Advocate or the Accuser:which are we like?
Inglis Fleming