The winner of my CD message, Cultivating a Heart of Contentment is… Lisa Pogue
Congratulations!! Please send your mailing address to miccacampbell@comcast.net
There’s an issue on my heart today. It seems to me that Christians can sling mud better than anybody else I know. Maybe it’s because I live in the Bible-belt that it seems that way. I dunno. I just want to know…
Why are Christians so quick to judge others? Why am I? Is it because we feel condemed by our own sin that we condem others? I’m not sure. What I am sure of is that forgiveness is only a foot washing away. And if Christ is so quick to show me mercy, shouldn’t I do the same of others?
Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation awaiting those who are in Christ Jesus.” (NKJ)
Remember that sacred night after supper when Jesus took a towel and began washing the disciple’s feet? Peter was appalled! He couldn’t conceive why Jesus would stoop to a servant’s job and wash his feet. Yet, at times, the host would wash the feet of their guest as an act of love. While Jesus was modeling love along with humble service, His actions also symbolized daily spiritual cleansing. Jesus explained to Peter that without cleansing no one could have a part of Him (John 13: 8). Desiring Jesus above all, Peter preferred not only his feet be washed, but his entire body as well. Yet, there was no need, for Peter had already been made clean. He only needed to wash the day’s mud from his feet. Through this humble display, Jesus reveals to us a beautiful example of how we can be cleansed by grace as we daily confess our sins.
On the other hand, when our brothers and sisters sin against us, do we sling them in the mud? Or, do we offer them the same love, humble service and grace that we received? Daily, we should wash one another’s feet in the pool of forgiveness. Feet that have been washed by the Savior are feet that will run swiftly to wash another’s. For how can we condemn our brothers and sisters when we, too, have stood in the same mud puddle?
Once you have been cleansed through salvation, it never needs repeating. On occasion, however, we may need to purge a little mud. Still, as we agree with God about our sin, Jesus, in an act of love, takes a towel and a handful of grace and kneels to wash our feet. John promises us if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleans us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 NKJ). Sometimes though, we often experience shame when we sin against our Savior causing us to yearn for cleansing all over. But Jesus is there to remind us that His grace is sufficient. There is no commendation for those who have been washed in His blood, forgiven by grace, and kept by the power of His love.
Raye says
It is very true Micca…touching!
Kay says
Ouch. You’ve definitely given us something to think about here. I suppose the more we see of the truth and righteousness the easier it becomes to hold others to those standards. But it just gets even harder to hold ourselves to them. Thanks for the encouraging and convicting words. We certainly all need to show a little more grace!