OK, this one is gonna get interesting. I have a brother that will be helping us out with this "one another" from his experiences, but also wanted to relay my own personal story about this. My story is below, and as I edit this, it is with tears of joy and love, remembering the example that was given to me.
This instance of foot washing was most memorable. We had gone to visit some friends that lived far away in the winter here in Maine. On the way to visit, we had gotten lost and slid off the road into a snowbank. After calling to let them know we would be late, they offered to get shovels and come find us, which they did. A good Samaritan pulled us out of the ditch with his truck saving the day, but I will not forget our brothers that drove across town in the terrible weather to help us out. The day did get better from there, as we got unstuck from the snow bank and made it to their home.
This is one of those families that just loves to serve, to take care of you, and truly shows the love of Christ in their lives in so many ways. After dinner, we were reading the Bible together and talked about the verses in 1 Corinthians 7. My wife was sitting next to me and the mother of the family began to take out some warm water, a towel, some fragrant oils, and a basin. She and her adult daughter took off my wife's shoes and began to wash her feet. Sara didn't really know what to think, but definitely felt honored and loved, seeing someone do this most humble and servant-like act for her. I was OK with this whole thing, but still had not processed the full scope of this foot washing.
A few minutes into my wife's foot washing, they asked if they could also wash my feet. Now this is where I got a little more skeptical. Sure, a couple of ladies washing another ladies' feet is fine, but I don't know if I like this. I briefly caught a glimpse of the father's eyes, realizing that not only was this something they would like to do for me, but also quickly remembering when Jesus offered to wash Peter's feet and the fiasco that followed, "no, don't wash me" and "wash me all over" Peter didn't get it, and only now that I am putting this down do I begin to realize the significance in some of this.
So, they washed and scrubbed my feet, gently kneeling before me in the perfect picture of servanthood and love. What blessed fellowship, what pure and undefiled love that strips itself of all that would hinder me from seeing the love of Christ at work. The hardest part for me to grasp as I think of that night is that this was not a new experience for them. They have done it often, modeling a number of those "one another" principles that I have been writing about.
So, then I begin to think of Jesus. I see Him bow before His disciples, stripping Himself of His outer garment and giving this wonderful example of how " he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.. " I see the love and sacrifice, the humility, the complete package of perfection in this act of submission and grace. How can you not love someone who will humble themselves for the simple pleasure of serving another brother or sister in Christ?
I pray that this story has helped some understand that this is not about hygiene, nor is it about slavery or prominence, but rather humble submission before the Lord, serving however the Lord prescribes, we will have joy unspeakable and we will be full of glory. My eyes were seeing this young lady, but I saw Jesus that night! I pray that she and her mother, and their family that has served as examples in so many ways, know how much they mean to me. I can't think of that day without seeing that I often fail to serve in this way. I know it isn't the culturally popular thing to do, but I would encourage you to wash someone's feet, and yes I mean literally. Why not? Is pride in the way, do you fear rejection? Jesus set the example and gave us the great role model. Serve Him in all things today.
Read John 13 and see how Jesus set the stage, even though He knew Judas would betray Him, that Peter would deny Him, yet the love Jesus shows is not the kind that is just fulfilling a necessary job(dirty feet do need to be washed). Jesus knew that this night would become the defining moment in history. Jesus came to die, and here was the night He was to be arrested and shortly after crucified.
I want to note due to personal conviction on my part that Jesus did not take this time to get in a few jabs, kick them around and get them ready for the persecution to come. He washed their feet. Think of how Judas felt after Jesus was taken to the cross. I bet Judas remembered the foot washing more vividly even than I do that night when my feet were washed.
Showing posts with label honor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label honor. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Thursday, September 3, 2009
***MINI CHALLENGE*** of the week
This week, we have been pondering some of the ideas brought out by Elijah Hall in his message "Am I my brother's keeper?" I know that in my own life, I never want to neglect how God has spoken through His Word to us via gifted teachers and preachers. I know sometimes in my own life, I find that I have forgotten what was said be Wednesday. We strive to continue to talk about Sunday sermons, and incorporate the lessons into our daily lives. This challenge is the direct result of one of those times of musing.
Sara and I have listened to the message 2 times, plus I have listened and taken notes, clips, etc 2 more times. We listen as we ride from place to place, and rather than watch TV, we listen to audio lessons, sermons, conferences, etc. We have found this time to be very profitable for our family and would encourage others to seriously consider this point: Teachers take many hours in prayer and pouring over God's Word and then speak for the purpose of edifying the body of Christ through preaching. I think we should do more than just listen on Sunday morning, and then forget what was said.
On with the challenge. One of the points in the message was that we should not be jealous of our brothers and sisters in the Lord, but rather to find Godly characteristics in their lives and see how we can learn from them. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Too often, we would rather pity our fellow believers for how they don't measure up to our standards, but we should instead look for the good things and try to learn from them as we follow the Lord together. If we all did this honestly, those areas that others have problems with would look to good examples and assess where they need to grow.
I know I would much more often look back and see someone else's faults rather than seriously consider my own life to see what must be changed. We need role models for Godly living, and can look to the Bible and Jesus specifically. Yet, it is sometimes easier to see Christlike examples lived out before our eyes. Some of us are visual learners and need to experience something firsthand to put it into practice. It is with all this in mind that we wanted to challenge you all. Sara had a wonderful idea and we have started, but it will take some time, dedication, and a true desire to see God's people through the filter of "what can I learn from them?"
Rather than issue demands, I will tell you what we did, and would welcome a better way. Implement this one your own way and see how God leads.
We made a list of some folks we know(this list will be LONG by the time we are done) and gave each person a page in a notebook. We started with a few we will see before we leave Maine. We wrote down (only) spiritual characteristics that we see lived out in their lives. We then agreed that we would pray for a person, and write them an encouraging note to let them know that we see God at work in their lives, and how specifically that inspires us to follow the Lord more closely. This keeps the positive in focus and helps us to appreciate our brothers and sisters. It also reminds us to pray for them, and will encourage them when they receive a note from someone who loves them and wants to edify them.
We will pick a few families a week, maybe one per day to pray for, consider, and write to. I also considered that this type of thing could become a way of life, to consider others higher than ourselves and stop looking for ways to fix people and be critical, but instead to try to live a Godly example and lift up our Lord while also seeking to learn from them.
One minor flaw in our system has been noticed. It isn't a flaw in the system, but rather in our lives in general. You can not write spiritual encouragement or learn from people you don't really know. We have to be proactive in learning more about those we are in fellowship with. So, we must continue to get to know one another, to see one another for the purpose of encouragement, to learn from each other, and to build up the body of Christ by working together with the other members of His body to adequately fulfill our jobs in His body, the church, that marvelous collective of all sinners saved by His grace and being ever conformed more into the image of Jesus Christ.
Please let me know if you have improvements, variations, or have put this into practice in your lives. I understand writing cards or letters may not work for everyone, but I would encourage you to try it. Seeing other believers as someone to learn from and be encouraged by is much better than the trap I have sometimes fallen into of tearing one another down to try to get myself higher. Listen to the message by Elijah , he says it better than me.
Sara and I have listened to the message 2 times, plus I have listened and taken notes, clips, etc 2 more times. We listen as we ride from place to place, and rather than watch TV, we listen to audio lessons, sermons, conferences, etc. We have found this time to be very profitable for our family and would encourage others to seriously consider this point: Teachers take many hours in prayer and pouring over God's Word and then speak for the purpose of edifying the body of Christ through preaching. I think we should do more than just listen on Sunday morning, and then forget what was said.
On with the challenge. One of the points in the message was that we should not be jealous of our brothers and sisters in the Lord, but rather to find Godly characteristics in their lives and see how we can learn from them. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Too often, we would rather pity our fellow believers for how they don't measure up to our standards, but we should instead look for the good things and try to learn from them as we follow the Lord together. If we all did this honestly, those areas that others have problems with would look to good examples and assess where they need to grow.
I know I would much more often look back and see someone else's faults rather than seriously consider my own life to see what must be changed. We need role models for Godly living, and can look to the Bible and Jesus specifically. Yet, it is sometimes easier to see Christlike examples lived out before our eyes. Some of us are visual learners and need to experience something firsthand to put it into practice. It is with all this in mind that we wanted to challenge you all. Sara had a wonderful idea and we have started, but it will take some time, dedication, and a true desire to see God's people through the filter of "what can I learn from them?"
Rather than issue demands, I will tell you what we did, and would welcome a better way. Implement this one your own way and see how God leads.
We made a list of some folks we know(this list will be LONG by the time we are done) and gave each person a page in a notebook. We started with a few we will see before we leave Maine. We wrote down (only) spiritual characteristics that we see lived out in their lives. We then agreed that we would pray for a person, and write them an encouraging note to let them know that we see God at work in their lives, and how specifically that inspires us to follow the Lord more closely. This keeps the positive in focus and helps us to appreciate our brothers and sisters. It also reminds us to pray for them, and will encourage them when they receive a note from someone who loves them and wants to edify them.
We will pick a few families a week, maybe one per day to pray for, consider, and write to. I also considered that this type of thing could become a way of life, to consider others higher than ourselves and stop looking for ways to fix people and be critical, but instead to try to live a Godly example and lift up our Lord while also seeking to learn from them.
One minor flaw in our system has been noticed. It isn't a flaw in the system, but rather in our lives in general. You can not write spiritual encouragement or learn from people you don't really know. We have to be proactive in learning more about those we are in fellowship with. So, we must continue to get to know one another, to see one another for the purpose of encouragement, to learn from each other, and to build up the body of Christ by working together with the other members of His body to adequately fulfill our jobs in His body, the church, that marvelous collective of all sinners saved by His grace and being ever conformed more into the image of Jesus Christ.
Please let me know if you have improvements, variations, or have put this into practice in your lives. I understand writing cards or letters may not work for everyone, but I would encourage you to try it. Seeing other believers as someone to learn from and be encouraged by is much better than the trap I have sometimes fallen into of tearing one another down to try to get myself higher. Listen to the message by Elijah , he says it better than me.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
~MINI CHALLENGE~
Take time today to pray for the leaders in your church. Then, as the Lord leads, write to one or more of them and tell them that their labor for the Lord is appreciated. If you have not thought about the work required to shepherd a flock, pray about it right now and thank God for providing laborers for His work. If you are having problems with your local leaders, please read the blog post here and then pray that God will lead you in how to forgive, how to submit to your elders even when you think they may be wrong. Let God work, don't do things in your own strength. He is able, you are not. Church leaders- you don't get away without a challenge. Pray for a specific family in your local body. Maybe visit,call, or write them a note letting them know that you are praying for them. It is a great example to those in the local body. As I have said before about parenting, "If we don't lead by our own example, surely they will not follow"
Mark Cowperthwaite
Mark Cowperthwaite
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Not judging one another
You hear it every day from those in the world, "judge not, lest ye be judged" This strikes me funny that folks who never utter a word of Elizabethan era English would say it that way. So what does this verse mean, and why should we not judge one another? What is the difference between teaching and admonishing, as opposed to judging?
I have heard many answers on this subject and will try to avoid making judgment but rather let Scripture speak for itself, truly let God speak by His Word. Romans 14 is pregnant with doctrine and demonstration, and is often picked apart with self-justifying motives. I speak as one who has, in the past, not seen the truth of God's Word, but rather taken what verses fit with my own perceptions and tried to make it say things that it does not. Proof texting is not true to God's Word, and has been the beginning of cults, separatists, and divisions on many subjects. Read Titus 3 to see how Paul felt about those who divide the body, and how Christ feels about His church being divided over frivolity.
Let's look at the passage in question:
Rom 14:10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;
Rom 14:11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
Rom 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Rom 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
I see sometimes how men(myself included at times) have left a meeting around the table remembering the Lord and are so preoccupied with what someone said that we don't think they mean. We are there to honor the Lord Jesus, not pick each other apart. How are we to know the hearts of others? Though past behavior is a good indicator of future behavior, I know God changes me daily. If this is true, then we should not take the worshipful words lifted up towards our Savior as material for personal assault. This is just one example of judging.
Discernment, I believe, is the other end of this. Should a brother, known for a sinful lifestyle, be set in a position of authority or recognized service such as an elder? No, of course not. 1 Tim. 3 tells us that elders are to be exemplary, men of great character that have lived out their lives in such a way that we can see God's power and love in them. To discern, one must be in touch with the Spirit of God. I cannot put words behind it exactly, but sometimes I just know when someone is out of fellowship. God seems to give us clues to know who is really sold out for Him and who is not. Either way, we are not to follow men. They are just examples and shepherds for our little local flocks.
In an effort to understand the situation more, I pray you will continue to study this out. Pray about your attitude, motivations, and why we are so quick to render judgment when it is obviously God's place and not our own. If someone offends us, we are to forgive. If we have a problem with the elders, we are to submit. This defies human reasoning, but leaving it up to the Lord to work in hearts will be much more effective than "praying against" someone, or revolting. Gossip, bitterness, and division are the fruit that follow those who love to sit in the place of judgment. Read Psalm 1 and see how it applies to this issue.
I pray that this has been helpful to all. I welcome input and criticism if I approach something the wrong way. Be prepared, in that case, to point to Scripture and not man's arguments. We ought to use God's Word as our only authority, and I welcome discerning persons to help me when I am wrong. May the Lord richly bless as you continue to submit to Him in all things.
Mark
I have heard many answers on this subject and will try to avoid making judgment but rather let Scripture speak for itself, truly let God speak by His Word. Romans 14 is pregnant with doctrine and demonstration, and is often picked apart with self-justifying motives. I speak as one who has, in the past, not seen the truth of God's Word, but rather taken what verses fit with my own perceptions and tried to make it say things that it does not. Proof texting is not true to God's Word, and has been the beginning of cults, separatists, and divisions on many subjects. Read Titus 3 to see how Paul felt about those who divide the body, and how Christ feels about His church being divided over frivolity.
Let's look at the passage in question:
Rom 14:10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;
Rom 14:11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
Rom 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Rom 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
I see sometimes how men(myself included at times) have left a meeting around the table remembering the Lord and are so preoccupied with what someone said that we don't think they mean. We are there to honor the Lord Jesus, not pick each other apart. How are we to know the hearts of others? Though past behavior is a good indicator of future behavior, I know God changes me daily. If this is true, then we should not take the worshipful words lifted up towards our Savior as material for personal assault. This is just one example of judging.
Discernment, I believe, is the other end of this. Should a brother, known for a sinful lifestyle, be set in a position of authority or recognized service such as an elder? No, of course not. 1 Tim. 3 tells us that elders are to be exemplary, men of great character that have lived out their lives in such a way that we can see God's power and love in them. To discern, one must be in touch with the Spirit of God. I cannot put words behind it exactly, but sometimes I just know when someone is out of fellowship. God seems to give us clues to know who is really sold out for Him and who is not. Either way, we are not to follow men. They are just examples and shepherds for our little local flocks.
In an effort to understand the situation more, I pray you will continue to study this out. Pray about your attitude, motivations, and why we are so quick to render judgment when it is obviously God's place and not our own. If someone offends us, we are to forgive. If we have a problem with the elders, we are to submit. This defies human reasoning, but leaving it up to the Lord to work in hearts will be much more effective than "praying against" someone, or revolting. Gossip, bitterness, and division are the fruit that follow those who love to sit in the place of judgment. Read Psalm 1 and see how it applies to this issue.
I pray that this has been helpful to all. I welcome input and criticism if I approach something the wrong way. Be prepared, in that case, to point to Scripture and not man's arguments. We ought to use God's Word as our only authority, and I welcome discerning persons to help me when I am wrong. May the Lord richly bless as you continue to submit to Him in all things.
Mark
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