#Colossians 3:15-17

[kmac4him1st]

A Heart Of Gratitude

Take some time out of your busy schedule this week and soak your soul in this devotional on gratitude. The reward of becoming a person with a heart of gratitude is having a soul overflowing in peace. God bless ya.

One of the best benefits from having a Thankful Heart is Peace. One Of The Best Benefits From Having A Heart Of Gratitude Is Peace. Gratitude Is The Pathway To Peace! Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful. Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the…

[disneynerdpumpkin]

~ Scriptures about forgiveness ~

Matthew 6:15 "But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Colossians 3:13 "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Daniel 9:9 "To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him."

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses."

Micah 7:18 "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love."

Mark 11:25 "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

Luke 17:3-4 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."

Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"

Matthew 6:14 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:"

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Isaiah 1:8 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

[ancientcatbuddy]

[annagracewood]

"Why can't I?" is the wrong question

“Why can’t I?” is the wrong question, sisters. As Christian women, it’s important that we ask the correct theological questions. Sadly, many of us don’t. Too many women define their Christianity by the culture rather than the fullness of Scripture. But to do so makes us become unfruitful because we have become unfaithful. Elisabeth Elliot once said that the fact that she was a woman didn’t make…

[drshermaines-wisdomnuggets]

"LIVING IN TRIUMPHANT HOPE"

1 Peter 1:3-12, “Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, Who are being guarded…

[fardell24b]

Church notes - 9th April 2023

9th Easter Sunday John 17:1 - 5 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 22

Nehemiah 8:10 - 12

No matter how bad this life is, we have Eternal Life because of the Resurrection.

vs 17 Our faith is futile if the Resurrection didn't take place. It would be meaningless and fruitless.

But Christ has Risen! That is a most precious thing. It is a life giving and life changing faith.

If He wasn't raised, we're still in our sins.

Sin is real and can't be denied.

Christ has been raised. Therefore sin has been dealt with.

vs 18 If He hadn't been raised, there is no hope. If He has been Raised, those who have fallen asleep in Christ are Saved.

vs 19 If He has been Raised we have an obligation to spread the Gospel.

vs 20

Colossians 3:1 - 3

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[nerdygaymormon]

Mormon thoughts on circumcision?

Many Latter-day Saints are circumcised because it is a social norm in the United States, but it is not medically necessary or even recommended, it is merely a social tradition.

The Book of Mormon specifically states that the law of circumcision "is done away" in Christ (Moroni 8:8).

The Doctrine & Covenants explains that in the early church (meaning the time of the apostles Paul, Peter, and so on) there was "contention" over the practice of circumcision, and it was done away with so that people knew to put their faith in Christ and not in the Law of Moses (D&C 74:2-7).

In the Bible, the Apostles and Elders at the Council of Jerusalem decided to stop circumcision as a requirement for Gentile converts to Christianity (Acts 15:1–35).

Some other New Testament passages that say circumcision is no longer required include: Galatians 2:1–3; 5:1–11; 6:11–16 1 Corinthians 7:17–20 Colossians 2:8–12 Philippians 3:1–3

There is no religious reason for Mormons to be circumcised.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Light of the Gospel

1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. — 2 Corinthians 4 | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Genesis 1:3; Judges 7:2; Job 4:19; Psalm 30:5; Psalm 37:24; Psalm 129:2; Proverbs 24:16; Isaiah 26:20; Isaiah 40:31; Jeremiah 45:3; Habakkuk 3:17; Matthew 13:22; Luke 21:36; John 1:18; Acts 2:24; Acts 26:18; Romans 6:5; Romans 6:8; Romans 6:21; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 9:19; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Corinthians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 6:9; Colossians 3:10; Hebrews 11:1; Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 4:14; 2 Peter 1:1

What does it mean that we have treasures in jars of clay?

2 Corinthians 04 - NIV Dramatized Audio

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Being Wise with My Time

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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+ Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

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VERSE OF THE DAY

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+ Ephesians 5:15- 17: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand the will of the Lord.

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SUBJECT: Being Wise with My Time

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** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM MAKING GOD A PRIORITY

I AM FOCUSED ON GOD

I AM CONNECTING WITH GOD

I AM NOT ALONE

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READ TIME: 7 Minutes & 16 Seconds

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THOUGHTS:

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   I have spent the later years of my life building this relationship with God, and one thing I noticed that always is an issue is time. Time is no one’s friend, but when we put our time into what we should do, we can see its manifestations. Many people feel that the more we do something, the more we enjoy it, and our flesh hates to pray, read the word, and do anything that will help us connect with him.

 2 Peter 3:8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day

 This right here should make us feel good because it says just one day is like a thousand years and imagine as you build this connection with him and every day, you're talking to him, he’s so grateful that he sees our days as a thousand years. But to us, one minute feels this way. Have you ever noticed that if you are on the phone watching Instagram, time goes by so fast that you don’t even realize what’s happening? You don’t realize the time that has passed, and you don’t even mind it because you're watching reels, right? But the moment you say I’m about to read my word or I’m about to pray, here comes the figuring for it or how long it’s going to take because our flesh wants us to sin. It wants us to do anything but anything godly, but the Bible tells us this about time.

  Ephesians 5:15- 17: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand the will of the Lord.

  It tells us to make the best use of our time. Many of us don’t. We use our time in the worst way and don’t factor in how to draw closer to God. The Bible tells us to draw closer to God, and we must do this daily. It says to do this because the days are evil. It says don’t be foolish; make sure you understand God's will. Do you know the Lord's will? Do you know what to do to have him tell you, his will? All we must do is ask.

  Proverbs 27:1: Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

   This brings us to our other point: because we don’t know when our time is, we must be careful with it; we can’t boast about the next day or the next month or year because we don’t know our time that’s why the time, we got we must use it by seeking God.

    Many don’t seek him; we seek him periodically but not faithfully. God doesn’t want us to seek him when we need him; he wants us to seek him daily because we desire to; he wants us to desire to use our time for him. Do you carve out time to be with him? Do you make sure you save time to make him a priority? What is a priority in your life?

  Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time

  It tells us again to make the best use of our time; it’s okay to relax, and it’s okay to want to watch some shows, but we can’t expect God to grow us if we haven’t put anything in to grow the seeds that are planted, we are eating anything of the spirit to grow the things of the spirit the only thing we have done things that’s of this world that’s why the appetite of the world can’t die because we are still feeding it, we have to stop feeding it and learn to feed the spirit man.

   Our daily activities are about Instagram, Netflix gossiping, etc. Still, when we start making our daily life of the holy Word, and we start meditating more, and we start worshiping more, we are growing the things within us, this craving for the lord; we must let the things of this world the appetite for it die. That’s not easy to do if we all being transparent it’s hard to do because we are all so curious about what’s happening around the world or in our own lives that we don’t allow our craving for this world to stop; we don’t allow our minds to stop processing while we even pray.

  So, how do we handle our time? We must do it wisely; we must handle our time with God with care, every day we have this opportunity to do something different, which is focusing more on God; our time is so precious we don’t know when our time is up that’s why we must live like it’s our last and spend it with him.

 ***Today, we talked about time, and some people have a problem with managing their time, some people have a problem with making God a priority. Still, no matter what happens, God has given us the space to do what we want, but what will you choose, whether it's time with him or watching Instagram reels? The more we feed our flesh, the more it will grow, but the more we give ourselves away to God, the more our relationship with him grows; it’s about time.

  Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

  Do you seek him first? The word tells us when we take our time and seek him, everything else will come; everything will be available to us, but if we seek this world first, that’s what we will receive. Many people want to know how to be powerful in God, and we do this when we give God our time. If today you feel that you haven’t given him a lot of your time, go to him and express your feelings and wait for him to show you how to give more time to him; make him a priority today. ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

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PRAYER

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Heavenly Father, thank you for today and the time you have given us. Lord, help us to balance more of our time and give us more wisdom to seek you and not this world, Father; we rebuke the spirit of slothfulness; we send it back in Jesus' name, Father; we ask you for power to conquer this spirit in Jesus name we thank you for everything, we ask you to be with us and help us to stay focus on you and to be more like you father pour out a fresh anointing unto our lives in Jesus Name Amen.

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REFERENCES

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+ Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

 

+ Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps

 

+ John 9:4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work

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FURTHER READINGS

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 Proverbs 14

Revelation 18

2 Corinthians 3

John 1

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[kmac4him1st]

Firstee Family

  Family Concern Plays Out To: Family Prayer In times such as these Jesus, we do have concerns for our family and we take them to You, Jesus, The Only One Who wears the Victor’s Throne, our Overcomer and our very Present Comfort. Thank You Jesus, we pray for every high thing to come down, every stronghold that affects our family in these dark and lawless times, to be broken by the power of Your…

[neogathering]

Grow as a spiritual Christian.  Listen and adhere to the voice of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:7, 13-15).

Practice the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:12-17) and reject the fruits of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21, Colossians 3:5-11).

Beware of Satan's attempts to lure you away from following Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:8-10); but more importantly, remember Jesus Christ is praying that the devil stays away from you (Luke 22:31-32, John 17:15, Romans 8:34). 

Follow Jesus Christ at all costs (Matthew 16:24-25, Luke 14:25-34).  Nothing is more valuable than your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-13).

God empower you and bless you, always.

[orthodoxadventure]

The άνάλαβος (analavos) is the distinctive garment of a monk or a nun tonsured into the highest grade of Orthodox monasticism, the Great Schema, and is adorned with the instruments of the Passion of Christ. It takes its name from the Greek αναλαμβάνω (“to take up”), serving as a constant reminder to the one who wears it that he or she must “take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23). The ornately-plaited Crosses that cover the analavos, the polystavrion (πολυσταύριον, from πολύς, “many,” and σταυρός, “Cross”) — a name often, though less accurately, also applied to the analavos — reminds the monastic that he or she is “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).

With regard to each image on the analavos, the rooster represents “the cock [that] crowed” (Matthew 26:74; Mark 14:68 Luke 22:60; John 18:27) after Saint Peter had “denied thrice” His Master and Lord (John 13:38).

The pillar represents the column to which Pilate bound Christ “when he scourged Him” (Mark 15:15) “by Whose stripes we were healed” (Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24).

The wreath garlanding the Cross represents the “crown of thorns” (Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2) that “the soldiers platted” (John 19:2) and “put upon the head” (Matthew 27:29) of “God our King of old” (Psalm 73:13), Who freed man from having to contend against “thorns and thistles in the sweat of his brow” (Genesis 3:18-19).

The upright post and the traverse beam represent the stipes and the patibulum that formed “the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14), upon which “all day long He stretched forth His hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people” (Isaiah 65:2; Romans 10:21).

The four spikes at the center of the Cross and the hammer beneath its base represent the “nails” (John 20:25) and hammer with which “they pierced” (Psalm 21:16; John 19:37) “His hands and His feet” (Luke 24:40). when they “lifted up from the earth” (John 12:32) Him Who “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us by nailing it to His Cross” (Colossians 2:14).

The base upon which the Cross stands represents “the place, which is called 'Calvary' (Luke 23:33), or 'Golgotha', that is to say, the Place of the Skull” (Matthew 27:33), “where they crucified Him” (John 19:18) Who “wrought salvation in the midst of the earth” (Psalm 73:13).

The skull and crossbones represent “the first man Adam” (I Corinthians 15:45), who by tradition “returned unto the ground” (Genesis 3:19) at this very spot, the reason that this place of execution, “full of dead men’s bones” (Matthew 23:27) became the place where “the last Adam was made a quickening spirit” (I Corinthians 15:45).

The plaque on top of the Cross represents the titulus, the “title” (John 19:19-20), with “the superscription of His accusation” (Mark 15:26), which “Pilate wrote” (John 19:19) “and set up over His head” (Matthew 27:37); however, instead of “Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews” (John 19:19), which “was written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew” (Luke 23:38), the three languages being an allusion to the Three Hypostases “of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), this titulus reads, “The King of Glory” (Psalm 23:7-10), “for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:8).

The reed represents the “hyssop” (John 19:29) upon which was put “a sponge full of vinegar” (Mark 15:36), which was then “put to His mouth” (John 19:29) when in His “thirst they gave Him vinegar to drink” (Psalm 68:21), Him of Whom it was said that “all wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22).

The lance represents the “spear [that] pierced His side”; “and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:34) from Him Who “took one of Adam's ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof" (Genesis 2:21) and Who “washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5).

The plaque at the bottom of the Cross represents the suppedaneum of Christ, “His footstool” (Psalm 98:5), “the place where His feet have stood” (Psalm 131:7). It is slanted because, according to one tradition, at the moment when “Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit” (Mark 15:37), He allowed a violent death spasm to convulse His legs, dislodging His footrest in such a manner that one end pointed upwards, indicating that the soul of the penitent thief, Saint Dismas, “the one on His right hand” (Mark 15:27) would be “carried up into Heaven” (Luke 24:51), while the other end, pointed downwards, indicated that the soul of the impenitent thief, Gestas, “the other on His left” (Mark 15:27), would “be thrust down to Hell” (Luke 10:15), showing that all of us, “the evil and the good, the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), “are weighed in the balance” (Ecclesiasticus 21:25) of the Cross of Christ.

The ladder and the pincers beneath the base of the Cross represent the means of deposition by which Saint Joseph of Arimathea, “a rich man” (Matthew 27:57) who “begged for the body of Jesus” (Matthew 27:58; Luke 23:52), “took it down” (Luke 23:53), so that as in body He descended from the Cross, so in soul “He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth” (Ephesians 4:9), “by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (I Peter 3:19).

Through these instruments, “the Cross of Christ” (I Corinthians 1:17: Galatians 6:12; Philippians 3:18) became the “Tree of Life” (Genesis 2:9; 3:22, 24; Proverbs 3:18, 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Revelation 2:7; 22:2,14), by which the Lord Jesus reified His words that, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

[source]

[lionofthegoldsun]

[Maintaining A Clear Conscience]

Believers in Christ must strive to maintain a clear conscience: we must remove any pollution or defilement in our minds, hearts, and souls. That includes being cautious of what we say (Matthew 15:11), what we hear—practically anything NEGATIVE our soul absorbs, which can pollute it. And whatever we absorb can cause us to behave in a not so pleasing way to God (Romans 12:1).

This can happen without us being aware. For instance, if you run to the internet to answer your questions and to solve your problems, instead of God’s truth, you’re not going to have peace because the world is full of lies and ruled by spirits of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).

“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”

-1 John 5:19

These are deceiving spirits who want to take our focus off God and drag us down. They want us to feel as if there is no hope. It’s all a distraction.

The devil will use our emotions to toy with us. Therefore, trusting other sources, our hearts, and people instead of God and His word will only birth fear, paranoia, and anxiety, which are not fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Not only that, the human heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). And as Proverbs 28:26 says: “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will escape.”

As Believers, this will only make us stumble and our faith wobble. That is why we need to root ourselves in God and in His word.

“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

-Jeremiah 17:8

<Extra Verses>

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”

Psalm 118:8-9

“Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?”

-Isaiah 2:22

“Fools believe every word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything.”

-Proverbs 14:15

<Bonus Verses>

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

-Philippians 4:8-9

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

-Philippians 4:6-7

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

-2 Corinthians 10:5

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

-Isaiah 55:8-9

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

-Romans 12:2

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

-Isaiah 26:3

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

-Colossians 3:2

[mevangelinem]

What is the significance of Jesus washing the disciples' feet? (Featuring artwork by @artoheln on Instagram)

Jesus washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:1–17) occurred in the upper room during the Last Supper and has significance in three ways. For Jesus, it was the display of His humility and servanthood in forgiving sinners. For the disciples, the washing of their feet displayed a mindset in direct contrast to their heart attitude at that time. For us, washing feet is symbolic of our role in the body of Christ.

Walking in sandals on the roads of Palestine in the first century made it imperative that feet be washed before a communal meal. People ate reclining at low tables, and feet were very much in evidence. When Jesus rose from the Last Supper and began to wash the feet of the disciples (John 13:4), He was doing the work of the lowliest of servants. The disciples must have been stunned at this act of humility and condescension—that Jesus, their Lord and Master, should wash the feet of His disciples. Washing feet was more properly their work, but no one had volunteered for the job. Jesus came to earth not as King and Conqueror but as the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. As He revealed in Matthew 20:28, He came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The humility expressed by Jesus’ act with towel and basin foreshadowed His ultimate act of humility and love on the cross.

Jesus’ attitude was in direct contrast to that of the disciples, who had recently been arguing among themselves as to which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24). There was no servant present in the upper room to wash their feet, and it never occurred to them to wash one another’s feet. When the Lord Himself stooped to this lowly task, they were stunned into silence. Peter was profoundly uncomfortable with the Lord washing his feet, and he protested: “You shall never wash my feet” (John 13:8a).

Then Jesus said something that must have further shocked Peter: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8b), prompting Peter, whose love for the Savior was genuine, to request a complete washing (verse 9). Then Jesus explained, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you” (verse 10). The disciples had “bathed,” and they were all “clean” but one—Judas, who would betray Him (verse 11).

So, Jesus’ act of washing the disciples’ feet illustrated their spiritual cleansing. Jesus is the One who forgives. Peter and the rest had experienced the full cleansing of salvation and did not need to be bathed again in the spiritual sense. Salvation is a one-time act of justification by faith. What follows is the lifelong process of sanctification: a daily washing away of the stain of sin. As we walk through the world, some of the world’s spiritual filth will cling to us, and that needs to be washed away—forgiven by Christ (see 1 John 1:9). Peter and the other disciples—all except Judas, who never belonged to Christ—needed only this minor cleansing.

When we come to Christ for salvation, He condescends to wash our sins away, and we can be sure that His forgiveness is permanent and complete (2 Corinthians 5:21). But, just as a bathed person needed to wash his feet periodically, we need periodic cleansing from the effects of living in the flesh in a sin-cursed world. This is sanctification, done by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, through the “washing of water by the Word” (Ephesians 5:26), given to equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Further, when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He told them (and us), “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). As His followers, we are to emulate Him, serving one another in lowliness of heart and mind, seeking to build one another up in humility and love. Part of that humble service is to forgive one another (Colossians 3:13). When we seek the preeminence, neglect to serve others, or refuse to forgive, we displease the Lord. True greatness in His kingdom is attained by those with a servant’s heart (Mark 9:35; 10:44), and they will be greatly blessed (John 13:17).

[coolksaposts]

Stand Firm …14To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter. 2 Thess 2:14-15

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast) So then (R.V.), as in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (see note): the practical conclusion in which the Apostle gathers up all he has been saying in this letter. “Since the Lord’s return is delayed and its time uncertain, and in prospect of the coming of Antichrist, whose deceptive influence is already secretly at work,—inasmuch as God by our means has made you heirs of His glorious kingdom—Stand Fast.” Comp. 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 1:23,—where, as in this place, hope is the incentive to steadfastness.

and hold the traditions which ye have been taught] “Hold” is an emphatic word: stand firm and hold fast (Ellicott) gives the Greek sense more adequately.

In traditions which you were taught there is no suggestion of the Romanist idea of Tradition, conceived as an authority distinct from the written Word of God; for the Apostle continues, whether by word or latter of ours (the pronoun belongs to both nouns). He bids them hold by what he had taught, whether it came through this channel or that, provided it were really from himself (comp. 2 Thessalonians 2:2, and ch. 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:17). He is now beginning to communicate with the Churches by letter, and stamps his Epistles with the authority of his spoken word. The sentence asserts the claim of the true Apostolic teaching, as against any who would “beguile” the Church away from it. Comp. 1 Corinthians 11:2 : “I praise you that in all things you remember us, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.”

The Apostle’s “traditions” included, besides doctrine, also the “charges” (or “commands”) he gave on matters of morals and practical life (ch. 2 Thessalonians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:2). The body of Christian doctrine, brought to its finished form, he calls in his last letters “the deposit” (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:14); while his practical teaching is “the charge” (or “commandment”), 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:18.