Do I Have Free Will or Fate?

Have you ever looked up and wondered, "Does mankind have free will or is it just fate?" What is being asked is, "Do I get to make my own choices, or is my life in someone else's control?" Oftentimes, this question is posed with regards to God and eternity. People want to know if they can choose to go to heaven or if God just sends people to hell. Which is it? Could it be both? Neither?

People have looked into these questions but they can get surrounded by them, disoriented and then completely lost. If we are going to travel down these same unfamiliar paths, we will need a guide. The best one anyone could get is the Bible. There is no better way to find answers. The Bible is "completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place," (2 Peter 1:19). It is a firm foundation on which people can orient themselves (Matthew 7:28-29). So, with Scripture as our guide, let us explore and find out what God's Word says about free will and fate.

Starting this journey, without pause, the Bible shows humans have free will. Consistently, Scripture teaches that people can make choices. Joshua spoke for the Lord and told the people to "choose for yourselves this day" whether they will follow God or not (Joshua 24:14-15). It was their choice, as it is ours. Jesus says anyone who believes in Him "will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Him will never die," and He then asks, "Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). People have a choice to trust or reject. If anyone rejects, then God will respect their choice. He says, "Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them," (Luke 9:26). Conversely, God will respect the choice of anyone who chooses to believe in Him, for "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved," (Joel 2:32). Everyone has a choice.

When God created you, He gave to you an ability 

that He did not give to any of his other creatures. 

He gave you the ability to choose. You can 

live any kind of life you want to. 

And I say this reverently, there is nothing 

God can do about it, because you 

have a will of your own.

- Billy Graham

Further along, again without pause, the Bible shows humans have a fate. God has said this, from the beginning of Scripture. When the Lord called on Abraham, God promised He would shape Abraham's future, (Genesis 12:1-3). He said, "I swear by Myself," meaning nothing Abraham could do would change it (Genesis 22:16). God made a promise that Abraham's descendant and His children would bless the whole world (Genesis 22:18). Further Scripture makes it clear that this promise about Jesus (Galatians 3:16) still holds true and is "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure," (Hebrews 6:17-19). Jesus, Himself, says that those whom God blesses receive it as an "inheritance," (Matthew 25:34). For anyone to receive an inheritance, they must be a member of the family. No human, though, has been directly born into God's family (Psalm 51:5), so God's children must all be adopted. When does God decide to adopt someone? Scripture says that before the creation of the world, before anyone could make a choice, "God predestined us for adoption," and this was done "in accordance with His pleasure and will," (Ephesians 1:4-5). Everyone has a fate.

This is common truth in the early church. He will 

sustain you to the end guiltless in the day of our Lord 

Jesus Christ. God is faithful by whom you were 

called, meaning if He called you, it's done! 

You will be kept. This is what it means to 

have a faithful God.

- John Piper

"WHOAH!" Some of you might say. "Did we go down a wrong turn? Is Scripture contradicting itself?" No, Scripture can never contradict itself. When someone contradicts themself, one or both of the things they have said must be a lie, but God "cannot lie" (Titus 1:2). God's Word will lead people to the truth (John 17:17). "So, which is it?" Some could ask. "Is it free will or is it fate?" Simply put, Scripture guides us to both, so both must be true.

Human beings are incapable of fully grasping a concept such as this. Yes, God is absolutely sovereign and knows all. Yes, human beings are called to make a genuine decision to place faith in Christ unto salvation. These two facts seem contradictory to us, but in the mind of God they make perfect sense.

- GotQuestions

Usually at this juncture, people can throw themselves off-balance: They can seek help from things distant from God's Word. They can trust in their knowledge of how the world is supposed to work. This would be a mistake. People should not trust in their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) and should focus on heavenly standards over earthly ones (Matthew 6:33). So, let's see how Scripture can clear up some common misconceptions about Biblical free will and Biblical fate:

The Bible can be difficult to understand, but a
misconceived view of it will lead to destruction
(2 Peter 3:16), so people should put effort and time
into seeking out the Bible's wisdom. "Though it cost
all you have, get understanding," (Proverbs 4:7).

• Misconception - "When I chose to follow Christ, I was good enough to make that choice."
• Truth - "No one is good—except God alone," (Mark 10:18). Everyone desires to turn away from God, because "we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way," (Isaiah 53:6). Anyone who is crooked cannot make themselves straight (Ecclesiastes 1:15), but God can make things crooked or straight (Ecclesiastes 7:13). No one is good enough or wise enough to follow God, without God coming to them first (Romans 5:10). He makes people good, for "every good and perfect gift," including the gift of salvation, comes "down from the Father of the heavenly lights," (James 1:17).

• Misconception - "God is a bad man, because the Bible says He predestines people to hell."
• Truth - "This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all," meaning everyone apart from God will "join the dead" and be "in the realm of the dead," (Ecclesiastes 9:3,10). This destiny is in accordance with everyone's choice to continue in sin (Genesis 3:19). However, Jesus can overwrite this destiny. He did this for Jonah. While he was inside the fish, he proclaimed "the earth beneath barred me in forever," but "God brought my life up from the pit," (Jonah 2:6). God can place a new destiny in front of (or preceding) our natural one. It's similar to how He writes someone's days before they are alive, (Psalm 139:16). This is why believers can be predestined by God (Romans 8:29), but those without God are destined by their sin (Ephesians 2:1).

The fullness of eternal life in heaven is a
marvelous mystery, but God sees it as one of
the multiple beautiful trees He created for us
to enjoy (Genesis 2:15-16, Revelation 22:1-2).

• Misconception - "You have to choose whether you believe in free will or predestination."
• Truth - "Everyone who believes in God will not perish but have eternal life," (John 3:16) and "Jesus gives them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of His hand," (John 10:28). Since Scripture affirms that God's children have free will to choose and are predestined to receive, then no one should be ashamed of this Gospel, "because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes," and in it "the righteousness of God is revealed," (Romans 1:16-17). One day the children of God will be described as those who have "triumphed over the devil, by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony," (Revelation 12:11). They will be honored because of Jesus' fated sacrifice (Ephesians 1:11) and for their free will to testify to this sacrifice (1 Corinthians 15:2).

Sometimes, Christians who believe in free will call 

themselves Arminians (promote Arminius' teachings) 

and those who believe in predestination say they 

are Calvinist (promote Calvin's teachings). The 

assumption is that Arminians and Calvinist have 

to oppose each other, however these schools of 

theology are not opponents but are different 

focuses on the same salvation.

• Misconception - "Someone can only preach on free will or predestination."
• Truth - "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus...I give you this charge: Preach the word," (2 Timothy 4:1-2). The Bible teaches about decisions and destinies, so anyone who preaches Scripture must be willing to preach from all of it (2 Timothy 3:16). Along with this, Jesus' followers need to teach what their audience needs to hear "so that by all possible means they might save some," (1 Corinthians 9:20-22). They could preach to a western culture that believes in freedom and "every man for himself," or to an eastern culture that believes in fate and "the whims of the spirits." In both cases, Jesus' children are to "preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block" that trips up everyone (1 Corinthians 1:23). When people let Jesus' teachings shake up their common understandings, then that stumbling block can become "precious" to them, and they can see that what they originally rejected is "the cornerstone," (1 Peter 2:7).

After seeing what Scripture shows about fate and free will, it could be hard for someone to have peace with it. There may be a part of it that they want to change, but what human being could "talk back to God?" (Romans 9:20). They may want to stay longer and wrestle out their thoughts, until they are just right, but no one should try to become "overwise—why destroy yourself?" (Ecclesiastes 7:16). At this point, it is considerably best to take what has been gained and return back to what is familiar. Except now, some familiar things might appear different.

It may have been confusing, earlier, to hear that the seeming opposites of fate and free will could be conjoined. Yet, a quick look at many common things Christians say and do shows that this truth has been present all along. Look at how a believer prays. They ask God for things from their own desires and then say, "In Jesus' name," submitting their request to the Lord's preordained approval (James 4:2-3). Check out what people say when they quote Psalm 23. They state that God leads them and prepares a reward for them (verses 1-3,5). In the same Psalm, they also say they walk through dark valleys and they choose to accept God's offer to live in His house (verse 4,6). Even in worship music, decisions and destiny continually go hand-in-hand. Believers can sing about their choice to follow Christ as well as their need for God to carry them. This is rarely questioned as a puzzle, but is shown as something wonderful and powerful.

When You call to me, I will run to You.

When You reach for me, I lift my hands to You.

When I'm tired and weary, You lift me up.

You place me on the wings like eagles.

That's where I'll find my freedom.

I'll find my freedom in You.

- Martin Kolb

Humans have a fate, as well as a free will. Both are necessary to fulfill God's plan for salvation. When this salvation comes, people will see that the Children of God "follow the Lamb [Jesus] wherever He goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb," (Revelation 14:4). God will give them a crown of victory (Revelation 2:10), and they will hold onto it throughout their life (Revelation 3:11). But, when they get to heaven, then "they lay their crowns before the throne," (Revelation 4:10) and say, "Salvation belongs to our God," (Revelation 5:10). We will not be able to make perfect sense of this now, but one day everything will clear up (1 Corinthians 13:12). For now, though, the nature of this is an unknown environment. But not so for God. It is His garden.

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Billy Graham: Ability to Choose
• John Piper: Called and Kept
• GotQuestions: Calvinism vs Arminianism
• Martin Kolb: You Are My Hope

John 1:29 (The Lamb Who Takes Away Sin)

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Before Mary gave birth to Jesus, Mary's relative Elizabeth gave birth to a boy named John. He was the son of a priest named Zechariah. As a priest, one of Zechariah's jobs was to serve in the offering of sacrifices. Without question, the most regarded of all sacrifices was the Passover lamb. It was offered once a year by every household as a payment for sins. There were rigorous requirements a sacrificial lamb had to meet, as well as laws concerning how it was to be offered. John, being a priest's son, was well acquainted with these laws. He knew what was a worthy sacrifice, and one day, John saw his cousin Jesus and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me,'" (John 1:29-30). Even Though Jesus' birth was after John's, John said Jesus was before him, and he also said Jesus would be a perfect sacrifice.

To see what it would mean for Jesus to be a sacrifice, here is a brief look at the law written concerning sacrificial lambs: At the time of the first Passover, God told His people this is what they must do so none of them would die. Every household was to take a young male lamb (Exodus 12:3-5), and they were to care for it, until the time came to slaughter it (Exodus 12:6). Every lamb was to have its blood put on the wooden frames of the family's door (Exodus 12:7), and the family was to cook and eat the rest of the lamb inside the house (Exodus 12:8-9). None of the lamb was to be left till morning (Exodus 12:10). God said the Passover was to be commemorated and celebrated for generations, (Exodus 12:14). Concerning lambs offered for Passover as well as other times, the chosen lamb could not be lame (unable to walk) or blind (unable to see) and had to be without disease, (Deuteronomy 15:21). Its blood was not to be eaten, but had to be poured out on the ground like water (Deuteronomy 15:23). Lambs had to be presented to the priests to make sure they were sufficient to pay for one's guilt, (Leviticus 14:12) and they had to be disposed of outside the camp where people lived (Leviticus 16:27). It was important that all presented lambs be "without defect," (Leviticus 1:10,22:19).

Why animals? What did they do wrong? 

That is the point. Since the animals did 

no wrong, they died in place of 

the one performing the sacrifice.

- GotQuestions

Jesus says, He came into the world to fulfill this sacrificial law (Matthew 5:17). He says it is through Him that none of God's people will have to die (John 5:24). He came as a young male (Luke 3:23), and people cared for Him by giving Him food (John 12:1-2), loaning Him animals (Mark 11:1-6), and giving Him a place to stay (Luke 22:10-13). The world tolerated Jesus, until the time came for Him to be slaughtered (Luke 22:53). On the night of the Passover celebration (John 13:1), Jesus was presented before the priests (Matthew 26:57). They examined Him and declared He was worthy of death (Matthew 26:65-66). Jesus was then handed over to the governor Pilate, where His whole body was tortured and none of it was left unscathed into the morning (Mark 15:15, John 19:1-2). Jesus was then sentenced to be crucified at a place called Golgotha, which was outside of the city (John 19:16-17). He was able to walk to that place (Mark 15:22), and able to see the people around Him (John 19:25-26). At Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to a cross (John 20:25), and His blood ran along its wooden frame (Colossians 1:20). Then, He died (Luke 23:46). After this, His side was pierced, and out of it came blood and water which poured out onto the ground (John 19:34). In the days before His death, Jesus lived a perfect life and was without defect (1 John 3:5). He was a perfect sacrificial lamb.

The depth of His grace flowed with every sin erased. 

He knew that this was why He came.

Would you take the place of this man? 

Would you take the nails from His hands?

- Jeremy Camp

In order for God's people to be forgiven, blood must be shed, "for the life of a creature is in the blood, and [God gave this] to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life," (Leviticus 17:11). Jesus shed His blood "on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness," (1 Peter 2:24). Because of His sacrificial death, "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins," (Ephesians 1:7). This is Jesus' power as a slain sacrifice.

And it gets Better,

Because Jesus is NOT Dead!

Jesus is God (John 10:30-33), and so He cannot die forever. Yet, He came to earth "to give His life as a ransom for many," (Mark 10:45). If He gives up His life, then He has "authority to take it up again," (John 10:18). So Jesus died, and then rose again (Mark 16:6).

God's sacrificial law was fulfilled through Jesus' death. Even though He rose again, Jesus' resurrection does not undo His death, in that He was never afflicted or it never happened (John 20:27). If His death were undone in this way, then God's people would still be under the sacrificial law. As long as the sacrificial law is not being fulfilled, it remains and awaits another sacrifice. Jesus could not simply unwrite this law (Matthew 5:18), however, He found a loophole, which is this: The law does not specify that the sacrifice must stay dead. This is why on the night of the Passover Jesus tells His followers He gives them His body (Luke 22:19) to be a sacrifice, and Jesus also gives them His blood for a "new covenant," (Luke 22:20). There cannot be a new covenant, without the fulfillment of the old one. In light of this, Jesus died and fulfilled the old sacrificial law, and then He rose from death as a living sacrifice; perpetually fulfilling both laws (Romans 8:2). By Jesus' one sacrifice "He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy," "and where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary," (Hebrews 10:14,18).

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ
Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set
you free from the law of sin and death,"
(Romans 8:1-2).

Jesus is the lamb of God (Revelation 5:6), and He has taken away the sins of the world (John 3:16). See, Jesus was dead, and now He is alive (Isaiah 53:11). Anyone who wants to be free from sin, must hear Him say, "Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other," (Isaiah 45:22). Yes, the same God who made the sacrificial law has fulfilled it, and He is alive!

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain

Holy, Holy, is He

Sing a new song, to Him who sits on

Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Who was, and is, and is to come

With all creation I sing

Praise to the King of Kings

You are my everything

And I will adore You

- Jennie Lee Riddle

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• The Passion of the Christ (Inspired by)
• GotQuestions: Passover
• Open Bible Info: Sacrificial Lamb
• GotQuestions: Animal Sacrifices
• Jeremy Camp: This Man
• Jennie Lee Riddle/Don Moen: Revelation Song
• MacArthur Study Bible (Background Research)

How can a Christian Relax?

This one is for the believers who know their task. It's for those who see the Christian walk as a race, and "run in such a way as to get the prize," (1 Corinthians 9:24). They "fight the good fight of the faith," (1 Timothy 6:12). It's for those who are "not ashamed of the gospel," and feel the world judge them when they do not join in its reckless wild living, (1 Peter 4:4). This one is for those who deny themselves, "take up their cross daily and follow Jesus," (Luke 9:23). Those who put their love into action (1 John 3:18) are doing a good work for Christ. However, work can be exhausting. So, how can a righteous undying Christian relax?

It's ready, set, go it's another wild day

When the stress is on the rise 

in my heart I feel You say 

Just Breathe, just breathe

Come and rest at My feet

And be, just be

Chaos calls but all you really need

Is to just breathe

- Jonny Diaz

One might be convinced that since God's Word spurs people on to run and fight, then it cannot also be used to rest and relax. This is not the case.

The Bible says it can help believers relax in much the same way they already do. Many people relax by taking a nice warm bath. The Bible says it can cleanse someone "by the washing with water through the Word," (Ephesians 5:26). People relax by lighting scented candles, and God says He makes His people like a sweet fragrance (Hosea 14:6), that can smell of "nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon," (Song of Songs 4:14). People even relax by getting a foot rub, and the Bible says how beautiful and happy "are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace," (Isaiah 52:7). Sometimes people just want to relax by eating delicious chocolate, and so too is God's Word sweet to the taste, (Psalm 119:103). Needless to say, Jesus is sincere when He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," (Matthew 11:28).

That's what the Sabbath principle is in the Bible. God forbade this agrarian people from working who thought that their livelihood depended on working seven days a week. What a thrilling thing to be told not to work, right? "You cannot work, you have to relax today."

- John Piper

As the Bible says, those who delight in the Word
meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2) and
they should encourage other believers
with it (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

So, believer, let's take a moment now to relax with God's Word.

Jesus will give us rest. There is rest for the people of God, and "anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest," (Hebrews 4:9-11). Those who rest in the Lord will find comfort in Him. He is the "God of all comfort" and "our comfort abounds through Christ," (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). So, He speaks "comfort, comfort" and to His people is tenderly saying, "her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins," (Isaiah 40:1-2).

There is peace found in the Lord, for "the Lord blesses His people with peace," (Psalm 29:11). He "will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing," (Zephaniah 3:17). God's people may become anxious, but when anxiety is great within them, God's consolation brings them joy, (Psalm 94:19). Cast your cares on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7) and "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself," (Matthew 6:34). Trust that "the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion." (Isaiah 30:18). 

God is the defense of His people, and "He has become my salvation," (Psalm 118:14). Anyone who believes in God is His child (John 1:12). His messengers proclaim, "I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one," (1 John 2:12-13). His Word tells you this, "so that in Jesus you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! He has overcome the world," (John 16:33).

"Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be
with you wherever you go," (Joshua 1:9) "being confident
of this, that he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day
of Christ Jesus," (Philippians 1:6).

I pray this time with God's Word has been restful and encouraging. So, believer, remember to relax in the Bible anytime you need it, and as you go throughout the day take this to heart: "Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love," (Ephesians 6:23-24).

May the grace of our Lord be with you

Now and always may you stay

Blameless till He comes

May the love of our Lord be with you

Now and always may you stay

Blameless till He comes

- Rebecca st. James

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Jonny Diaz - Breathe
• John Piper: What do you do to Relax
• Bible Study Tools: Encouraging and uplifting Verses
• Rebecca st. James: Omega

John 13:14-15 (He Washed your Feet as an Example)

John 13:14-15

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He did some peculiar things. Many of His actions could be considered "out of character," especially for someone who knew they were about to die (John 13:1). One of the unusual things Jesus did is wash the disciple's feet. This story only appears in the 13th chapter of John's gospel, yet it is considered important in many churches. The day in which churches remember this story is known as Maundy Thursday, and according to Dictionary.com Maundy comes from the Latin word "mandātum, which means 'mandate or command.'" So, what is the command Jesus demonstrated by washing His disciples' feet, and how should a Christian respond to this command?

The story of Jesus washing His disciples' feet goes as follows: While the disciples and Jesus were eating their last Passover meal together, Jesus got up from the table, "took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist," (John 13:2-4). Jesus then set up a basin full of water, washed His disciples' feet with it, and then dried them off with His towel (John 13:5). When it was Peter's turn to have his feet washed, he told Jesus, "You shall never wash my feet," and Jesus responds, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me," (John 13:8). Peter then requested Jesus wash his whole body, to which Jesus replies, "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," (John 13:10). After Jesus did this, He took His place back at the table and said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you," (John 13:11-15).

The Lord says, "I will sprinkle clean water on you,
and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your
impurities and from all your idols," (Ezekiel 36:25).

Now, it's one thing to read a story, but it's another thing to know what it means. So, what is the meaning of Jesus washing His disciples' feet?

First, Jesus' actions show Him taking the place of a servant. In the time when Jesus walked the earth, people often wore sandals, and as such their feet got dirty. It was a common custom for a servant to wash the household's feet as well as those of any guests. When Jesus washed His disciples' feet, He took the role of the servant. Jesus' act of servanthood perfectly illustrates His self-described mission, for He says He "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many," (Mark 10:45). Jesus is not a God who is "served by human hands, as if He needed anything," but rather He is a servant who continually "gives everyone life and breath and everything else," (Acts 17:25).

Second, Jesus' persistence to wash Peter's feet, but not his whole body, shows Jesus did this to demonstrate something spiritual. He told Peter and the other disciples they already had a bath (John 13:10). The bath Jesus is implying is baptism. The act of water baptism, when someone is immersed in water and then lifted up again, is a symbolic representation of spiritual baptism. This baptism is when a believer is buried with Jesus "into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life," (Romans 6:4). The apostle Paul says everyone who is a disciple of Jesus has taken part in this washing through baptism (1 Corinthians 6:11). Peter later wrote about this cleansing, stating this washing is "not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (1 Peter 3:21).

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the
full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled
to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our
bodies washed with pure water," (Hebrews 10:22).

Third, Jesus' washing of His disciples' feet concerns a similar spiritual washing. Jesus alludes to this earlier, when He tells His disciples, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet," or rather wash your feet of their dirt (Matthew 10:14). Jesus says the people who reject His disciples' and their gospel will be under an unbearable judgment (Matthew 10:15), so Jesus is telling His disciples' to not be contaminated by the world's wickedness and share in its judgment. Only those with clean spiritual clothes can enter into heaven (Revelation 22:14), which is why Jesus' disciples must keep their feet clean. The good news is that when Jesus' followers do get some dirt on them, such as when they sin or fail to love their neighbor, then Jesus can "wash their feet." The disciple John writes, "If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ," (1 John 2:1) and further says, " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness," (1 John 1:9).

Lastly, this spiritual washing of feet is not only an example but also a command. Those who follow Christ can forgive and cleanse one another as Jesus cleanses them. This is one reason why Jesus tells His disciples, "If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you," (Matthew 6:15). When Jesus' followers forgive one another they show comfort, so the one in need of forgiveness "will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow," (2 Corinthians 2:7). Furthermore, Jesus' followers can also wash one another "by the washing with water through the word," (Ephesians 5:26), for Paul says the word, meaning Scripture, helps make Jesus' followers more righteous and pure (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus followers' can even keep each other's feet from getting dirty by instructing one another. Paul writes that believers "full of goodness, filled with knowledge" are "competent to instruct one another," (Romans 15:14). In doing these things and more all of Jesus' disciples work together to "present everyone fully mature in Christ," (Colossians 2:22).

When one of Jesus' disciples washes another one's feet they
reflect Jesus' servanthood, affirm His baptism, proclaim the
forgiveness of sins, and show others how to do the same.

With all that Jesus is illustrating through washing His disciples' feet (including everything not addressed in this post), it is understandable why many people would not understand the meaning of this story. Sometimes, those who do not understand can prematurely give their own teaching about Jesus' feet washing. Oftentimes their uninformed teachings can lead others to confusion or worse.

On a personal note: this blog post was originally going to be published closer to Easter time, however this has been adjusted due to a recent advertisement released during the LVIII Super Bowl. The advertisement is part of a campaign known as He Gets Us, and their ad. shows several still images of various people washing other people's feet (though one image is just two guys sharing a foot bath). It concludes with the text, "Jesus didn't teach hate. He washed feet," implying Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet shows how Jesus opposed hatred.

These still images, along with others, appeared
in the "Foot Washing" advertisement
created by the He Gets Us campaign.

However, according to the example Jesus demonstrated in John chapter 13, this ad. is misguided in nearly all of its claims. The ad. seems to show people of all kinds washing everyone and anyone's feet. Jesus, though, says His command to wash one another's feet only applies to His disciples, for this is what He means when He says, "you also should wash one another’s feet," (John 13:14). The ad. also shows people only washing each other's feet in the physical sense and never the spiritual one, but Jesus washed His disciples' feet physically to demonstrate a greater spiritual action. If Jesus' feet washing only concerned the physical act of taking the place of a servant and promoting proper hygiene, then Jesus would have been a bit dense to ask His disciples "Do you understand what I have done for you?" (John 13:12). Even more than these errors, the closing text claiming "Jesus didn't teach hate," is directly contradicted by this story. After Jesus washed His disciples' feet He says, "you are clean, though not every one of you," and John elaborates, "For He knew who was going to betray Him, and that was why He said not everyone was clean," (John 13:10-11). Now, Jesus saying someone is spiritually filthy when they likely thought they were clean may or may not be considered hateful, but it is arguably less debatably hateful for Jesus to refer to this same filthy person as a devil (John 6:70-71). It is written of Jesus He "hated wickedness," (Hebrews 1:8-9) and His disciples' learned from His example to "hate what is evil," (Romans 12:9).

In the description for their advertisement, He Gets Us asks, "How would our contentious world change if people, especially those with opposing ideologies, took off their shoes and washed each other’s feet?" The answer is the world would not change a whole lot. At best, people everywhere would have much more pleasant smelling feet. The proof of this is when Jesus washed Judas' feet, and then says this foot washing did nothing to make Judas spiritually clean or any less wicked (John 13:11). If Jesus disciples' want to offer true washing to cleanse the wicked of this world, then they must lead people to "repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins," (Acts 2:38). Only after someone has had a bath will Jesus' disciples then be able to wash their feet.

Jesus' disciples, like Him, walk in the world's dirt
but do not belong to it, because they have been cleansed
by God's word and His truth, (John 17:16-17).
Those who belong to the world's dirt need to be washed
"with the Holy Spirit and fire," (Matthew 3:11).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• John MacArthur Study Bible (consulted research)
• Dictionary: Maundy Thursday
• Bible Study Tools: Baptism
• He Gets Us: Foot Washing Advertisement

Do I Pass God's Test?

Have you had this nightmare? You're back in school and the teacher hands out a test. You go into the test confident. You can answer most of the questions, but there is just one thing on there that you do not understand. The teacher, though, says this unknown thing is the key to passing the test. How could you not know something the teacher says is so important? Did you not study hard enough? Was the teacher hiding this from you? Whatever the reason, because of this one thing, you fail the test. Concerning this scenario: here's a follow-up question: Do you ever think maybe God is like this teacher? Is there ever the worry that when God looks at your life, He'll say, "Hey, you forgot this one thing. Now, you won't get to heaven." These thoughts can lead people to ask themselves, "Will I pass God's test?"

Let's examine this scenario and see if it reflects reality, starting with seeing if God is our teacher. The Bible, indeed, says God is a great teacher. The prophets refer to God as the "Wonderful Counselor," who is a "Mighty God," (Isaiah 9:6). The Psalmist says of God that He "will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go," (Psalm 32:8). When Jesus, who is God, spoke in front of crowds, the people who heard Him thought "He taught as one who had authority, and not as their [other] teachers of the law," (Matthew 7:29). So, God is absolutely a great teacher. 

Does our teacher give out tests? Well, the point of a test is to see how someone "measures up". The Bible says that some of God's angels hold "a measuring line" and they use this line to measure out nations, cities and people (Zechariah 2:2-5). The prophet Amos once saw God holding such a measuring line, and God used it to show how His people were not "measuring up" (Amos 7:7-9). Jesus also says there is a way to test whether someone is speaking truthfully or false (Matthew 7:15-16). The Apostle John wrote about how believers are to test whether something is Godly or not (1 John 4:1). Finally, the Bible says everyone who ever lived will be judged by God, and God will see whether they pass His examination (2 Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 9:27). So yes, our great teacher does have a test.

Not only is God our teacher, but He cares 

for His students (1 Peter 5:7) and He would love 

to see them all pass His test (2 Peter 3:9). 

Is God, by chance, like the teacher in the nightmare, hiding information? Adam and Eve thought so. They entertained the question that God hid crucial knowledge from them (Genesis 3:1-5). God, though, says He has not hidden anything from us that we need. It is written, "the things [God] revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow" Him, (Deuteronomy 29:29). Now some have thought that God keeps information from them, because He wants them to look dumb. This is a lie. God longs to give people what is best for them (Matthew 7:11). He has given everyone the knowledge they need, but many have rejected it. The Psalmist says people have rejected what they needed most, and what they rejected "has become the cornerstone," (Psalm 118:22). If someone fails God's test, it will not be because God hid something they needed. It will not even be because someone did not study enough. It will be because someone rejected what God gave them to pass His test.

So, what is God's test, and what is the key to passing this test?

Many have asked this question, but it was once asked by a fearful man; a man who worried he was lacking something crucial. This man was a jailer. He oversaw multiple prisoners, but two in particular were the Apostle Paul and his companion Silas. One night while these two disciples were under his guard, "there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken," (Acts 16:26). The jailer was terrified that his prisoners would use this opportunity to escape. Fearing his life would be taken for his negligence, the jailer "drew his sword and was about to kill himself," (Acts 16:27). Before he could, Paul shouted to him that no one left the jail and all his prisoners were safe (Acts 16:28). The jailer was astounded that these men did not run away when they had the chance. Trembling, the jailer fell before Paul and Silas and asked them, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:29-30). In other words, "What must I do to pass God's test?"

Jesus says His teaching is easy (Matthew 11:29), and
if anyone wants to pass God's test, then they
must be willing to learn (Proverbs 4:1-2).

Paul and Silas told this man one thing; the key to passing or failing. They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved," (Acts 16:31). That's all. The Jailer heard this, and in that hour "he and all his household were baptized," (Acts 16:33). The jailer even washed his prisoners wounds and served them a hot meal, (Acts 16:31-34). He did this because "he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God," (Acts 16:34). He had found the one thing that truly matters (Luke 10:42) and nothing could ever take it away from him (John 10:28). He believed in the Lord Jesus and passed God's test.

If believing in Jesus is what saves someone, then what does it mean to believe in Jesus? Anyone can believe Jesus walked the earth, lived a pretty decent life, taught some nice things, but believing none of that will truly save. Paul says someone must believe Jesus is Lord; someone must acknowledge Jesus as their God (John 8:58), master (John 6:68) and, of course, teacher (Matthew 28:20). Someone must see the one who suffered and died on a cross and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) as the one who is their creator (John 1:1-3), deliverer (Jeremiah 15:21) and savior (Luke 2:11). Believing in these things is all it takes for someone to pass God's test. There are no other "hoops" through which someone has to jump. It's simple.

The Apostle Paul writes, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved," (Romans 10:9). So, when God gives you His test and He asks you what is the one thing you need to pass, you now know the answer. Everyone who says Jesus is their Lord will not fail but will pass from this life into eternal life (John 3:16). There is no need to lose sleep over this nightmare. Rest well child of God.

Source

• The Bible (New International Version)