Who Are You an Advocate For?

This past weekend a group of the Threads staff went to a local theater to see the new “Amazing Grace” movie about William Wilberforce. If you haven’t had a chance to see the film yet it tells the story of Wilberforce who was instrumental in the abolition of slavery in the 1800s in Great Britain. He was a rising politician - full of passion and vigor within parliament. While the movie tells the story of the abolitionist movement, it does so from the viewpoint of Wilberforce’s conversion & struggle with how his political life fit into his faith, if at all.

When God intervened in his life he truly struggled with whether to pursue a life of ministry or to continue his political career. In the movie, William Pitt, a friend and aspiring prime minister, tries persuading Wilberforce to continue in politics (albeit not for the purest of motives). At one point he says, “Surely the principles of Christianity lend to action as well as meditation.” He even goes as far as to bring a group of people to have dinner with Wilberforce, all of whom (unbeknownst to him) are abolitionist clergymen/activists. The turning point of Wilberforce’s life & decision seems to come as they tell him, “We understand that you’re having problems choosing whether to do the work of God or the work of a political activist. We humbly suggest you can do both.”

The movie is a great watch for anyone. It’s not going to win any Academy Awards, nor will it make a fortune at the box office - but it is a good visual reminder of the advocate nature of our faith.

What place does advocacy have in our life or in our faith?

I’ve struggled with that question and with passages like Matthew 25. I see the words in red and recognize that they carry special weight because of that color. Yet, I have a hard time reconciling how my faith is not about works, yet Jesus, Himself, places so much importance on the acts of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, and other works of compassion.

If I were honest I think I would have to admit that I’ve struggled with advocacy my entire life. I’ve never been one to do much or to say much on other’s behalf. Yet, I know the importance that social justice plays in the very heart of God. I see this passion carried forward in the lives of so many others, and I pray for Godlike compassion for those in need around me.

I think I, like most people, am an opportunistic advocate. We usually stand up and speak…
… when it is to our own benefit,
… when our emotionalism is stirred (for example, with disasters such as 911 and Katrina),
… or when it becomes personal (when social issues suddenly affect us, our friends or our loved ones).

And yet it is not solely that we are to become advocates for the sake of the cause - although this is worthy and valid. To step out and feed the hungry requires no further divine decree, nor even an accompanying five point presentation of the Gospel - the very act of feeding the hungry is enough. The reason we should come alongside someone in need or lend a voice for those who have none is because we have Someone who has stood alongside us and lent His voice on our behalf.

“For Christ has entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our Advocate.”

Hebrews 9:24, NLT

and

“My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ the righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.”

1 John 2:1-2, HCSB

‘Advocate’ in these verses speaks of one who is summoned, or called to one’s side or aid. It’s the very imagery of one who pleads another’s cause before a judge.

This is one aspect of who Christ is for us. It is the picture of him standing before the throne of the Divine Judge pleading for the pardon of our sins.

We stand alongside others in need because that same grace has already been shown to us.

So, who are you an advocate for?

There are worthy causes that need people to fight for them in this world. Yet I believe the ‘other’-ness of the Gospel applies to those around us in our immediate life & circumstances as well.

Take time to look around you and see those who need someone to be an advocate in their lives - those who need someone to come alongside or to speak on their behalf. It may be someone in your family, a co-worker or the woman who helps you each time you stop by the bank. It might be someone in another part of the country or the world.

Wilberforce had to begin there. When asked by Pitt, “Do you not believe you and I can change things?” he replied, “I’d first want to change myself.” And so we begin as well.