http://bible.com/1/JHN13.8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Bible.com/app
We look at this scripture and use it to highlight service and that is correct. Indeed we must understand and emulate the servant role that Jesus took on, even though He was to be served as both Lord and master.
But let’s look at where He says, “if I do not wash you, you have no part with me”. That in and of itself, coming from Jesus means a great deal and can certainly apply to us today.
We know the scriptures speak of the blood of Jesus and its power to cleanse us of sins, hence being “washed in the blood”. Although some would disagree, many of us understand that baptism represents that washing away of sins, once we have confessed Jesus. I mean, what happens when we accept Christ?
We are allowing Him to wash us!
If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
We indeed become a part of Jesus and Jesus a part of us when we obey the Gospel. Apart from that we are not a part of Jesus and Jesus mentions, not a part of God either. For believing in Jesus is to believe in He that sent Him.
Heavy.
If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Why would any refuse to be washed?
Perhaps they fail to admit it or fail to see that they are dirty to begin with. As the sick person who refuses to admit they are sick so that they may see the doctor… Not dirty…so why clean? Why wash?
Perhaps they do take Peter’s view that He is so high and they are so low that it doesn’t make sense that Jesus should wash them. Self-loathing and pity-party throwing…
So we are either too self-Loving or too self-loathing to simply go to Jesus and BE WASHED.
HOWEVER…
If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
I beg you, seek Jesus. Learn of Him. Be washed. Be reconciled.
Get churched.
Oh yes! Canon and Derek Minor go beast mode on this track called Lotto.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
It was never God’s design, but Christianity is divided. The Word constantly reminds us to be of the same mind. Paul implored the churches to do this back then to combat factions and divisions. People claimed to be of Paul or Apollos. Today people claim to be of Luther and Calvin. Just saying. Christians who were formerly Jews wanted Christian doctrine to contain elements of Judaism.
So seeing this took place years ago, it’s no surprise that this exists today.
Don’t consider this a viable excuse to avoid Jesus altogether as this is a foolish school of thought. Jesus is not divided even though man is divided on how to serve Him. Jesus still has expectations of you. The failings of man doesn’t negate the perfection of God or His law.
But the separation is dangerous!
Why? Because it gives off the misguided notion that religion divides and causes conflict which could not be further from the truth. People cause conflict. But one looks at the bickering within christianity and are immediately turned off.
It confuses the seeker. Why so many religions? Which is right? Denominational, non denominational… Ahhh!!!
It’s also produces a false sense of unity. The secular world clumps all “those Christians” into one major group without any careful respect to individual doctrinal differences. People who call themselves Christians clump themselves with others who call themselves Christians and feel we are all on the same page as long as we believe in Jesus. And the general unity is necessary and beautiful but…
Why so many different Christians? Churches?
Did not Jesus say to Peter, on this rock I will build my church? Were they not first called Christians at Antioch?? Did Paul not urge us to be of one mind? Church. Not churches. Christians and not Lutherans, catholics, baptists, etc. One mind.
If the Bible highlights unity, the multitude of groups within this one supposed unified faith is not what God intended!
(If I’m wrong, scripture me right)
No. This not an attack on any one denomination by any means!! But what I want to convey is there is a separation and this is a true spiritual issue. Furthermore it begs the question, why?
It’s more obvious than you think.
There are significant differences in the proper application of scripture.
We, if truly Christians, all agree that the Bible is the infallible word of God. The infallible truth. Right? So from there we now have to rightly divide the truth (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). This is why we are charged to study the word. If one person does not do this and joins himself with others who has erroneously applied the word, you now have a group who has erred in unison.
Many false doctrines have been born out of failure to accurately apply scripture or totally fail to really read it altogether. God’s word is really more clear cut than it is cryptic. Through God’s word we learn what God expects of us, how to serve Him, how to be saved and how to get to heaven. But conflicting views have created this plethora of denominations.
The point of this blog is not to discuss specific doctrines, but to address the individual sitting in a pew or deciding which pew to sit in. The purpose of this blog is to also cause church groups to really look at this issue, look at their doctrine, look at God’s word and ask themselves if both agree.
The root of the confusion is people are not reading their Bible correctly. The confusion is fed because people are not reading their Bible at all. To you I say read your Bible. Rightly divide the word of God. Join yourself with others who have correctly determined what God requires of His church.
Because although there may be many local congregations, we all should be saying one thing.
Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Just doing my normal music searches and stumbled upon this emcee! Curt Kennedy has a witty, street flow that punches you right in the face with the Good News! Listen to And Then What from his album Frustrated Christian and tell me what you think. I’m certainly checking for more from him.
What the world says about love: Love me no matter what. Love is love. Love is always a good thing. Love is acceptance. We’re in love so it’s okay
What God says about love: 1 John 2:15 KJV Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Matthew 10:37 KJV He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
John 14:15 KJV If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 12:43 KJV For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 John 4:8 KJV He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Love is truly a beautiful thing! Not only is it beautiful, but it’s necessary. It means so much to the world. It’s what we live for, work for, fight for and die for.
Love is powerful. In fact, love is so powerful that the misunderstanding of love and or the misuse of love can be damaging, misleading and even deadly.
Love is then no longer beautiful.
A man cheats on his wife because he loves another woman. Is this beautiful love? It’s okay as long as they love each other…right?
Another works everyday, misses church and has no time for his family because he is focused on money and success. He…loves it. Is this what love should be?
Is love the right kind of love when it conflicts with another love? Which one is right?
So then all love isn’t good and beautiful love.
Love is also no longer beautiful on the surface when it is coupled with discipline, correction or truth.
More Bible examples of love: God disciplines those He loves. Speaking the truth in love.
But wait! Love is supposed to feel good! So if the truth hurts, this isn’t love… But it is.
If you love me you would…
…Accept who I am? No. What you’re really wanting to avoid is correction and accountability under the protection of love.
…Not lay a finger on your child. Is not disciplining your child love?? Does that help your child?
…Live and let live. To not correct in love and just let the world be as it is is to live and let DIE. If you see me headed to my doom and you do not say something because you don’t want to hurt my feelings, you have misinterpreted love.
So…
Love me no matter what: I do love you, but at some point that love will come in the form of correction, honesty or discipline.
Love is love: yeah but not all love is really love.
Love is always a good thing: are you sure about that?
Love is acceptance: To accept is not to condone. For me to say it’s wrong does not negate the love, it proves it.
God knows love. He is love. He shows love in sacrifice. He loves us. But He corrects us. He tells us when we’ve erred. He loves all but He also judges righteously enough to reward those who obey and punish those who do not.
If you truly believe in love, apply love this way: if you love me you will keep my commandments.
Most importantly, Jesus loved enough to suffer and die for all who DO NOT love Him. Even the very ones who killed Him. That’s Love.
Don’t misunderstand love. Don’t love things God hates. Don’t use love as a crutch. Don’t use love to overrule doing what’s right. Don’t say the person that corrects you or tells you the truth doesn’t love you. Fight for, live for, work for the right kind of love. Understand real love.
Christian Music Pusher 