“If you fall under temptation, do not become discouraged. This promise comes ringing down along the line to our time: “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” I feel that for this one promise a continual song of thanksgiving ought to go forth from the lips of mortals.” – Lift Him Up p. 341.5

Being right with God is a great feeling.  Sin disturbs that feeling and can leave us feeling adrift from God.  How do we become reconciled to God, and have the restoration of a right relationship with our maker?

We don’t need to perform some act of penance, whether grand or small.  We can come back to God, even while feeling the shame and guilt that come so naturally with sin, and with a humble heart ask for forgiveness.  This is what God is looking for, and Jesus takes up our case as the great Lawyer of heaven, and pleads our faith in His sacrifice much more ably than we ever could ourselves.

I think that knowing Jesus is desiring to plead on our behalf, and the Father is eager to restore is, provides the believer with a great amount of hope.  God is on our side.  He’s not trying to keep us away from Him and to make restoration difficult.

The verse above is from 1 John 2:1, and in this season of thanksgiving, we should express our gratitude to God for the promises He gives us in scripture that enable us to have hope and show us the way to a restored relationship with God.