TODAY’S VERSE:   

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

We have been learning about salvation in prep school. Salvation is how God saves His children from sin and death. Sin is defined as “an act that goes against the law of God and the state of human nature where self is estranged from God”. We must be cleansed from this sin so we may live in His presence forever. Jesus Christ’s work on the cross is what cleanses us and it is by God’s grace that we are saved.

Imagine you live in a white house with white walls, white carpet, and white furniture. Would your parents let you in the house if you were covered in mud? We seriously doubt it. Well, before we are saved, sin covers us like mud. No who is filthy can enter into God’s home and live with Him there because He is perfect and clean. Once we are born again and saved, we are made clean in His sight and are now welcome to live with Him!

Sadly, we continue to sin even after salvation. Are we, once again, covered in mud and not allowed in the house? Do we need to be saved again? No! Think of it like this; you take a shower, then later run out to the mailbox barefooted. You do not need to bathe again, but your feet need to be washed before walking on the white carpet. Jesus illustrated this concept to His disciples this way:

John 13:5-10 “After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’ Jesus answered, ‘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.’

Though washing the disciples’ feet may have been unpleasant for the Lord, He loved them just like He loves us. That same love motivated Him to suffer the judgement for our sins on the cross, which was more than just unpleasant for Him. God has done so much for us that our hearts should be overflowing with gratitude. Our love and gratitude should motivate us to keep our feet clean.

So, how do we keep our feet clean? Well, when we read our Bibles and pray throughout day, we allow the Holy Spirit to help us avoid sin. As we get to know the Lord and how truly amazing He is, we love Him more and more. The more we love Him, the more focused we will be on Him and how to please Him. Then, we will rely on the power of the Holy Spirit instead of the power of the flesh to live each day, living for Him instead of self!

Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

When we do sin, we confess (admit) our evil thought, word, or deed with a repentant heart, truly desiring to avoid the sin in the future in order to live righteously (keeping our feet clean). Thank you Lord for you love, grace, mercy, and our oh so great salvation!