John 13:8 English Standard Version (ESV) Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

Share here is meros, meaning one constituent part of a whole. We are one constituent part of the whole body of Christ. This we should do to be part of this shared experience.

John 13:14 English Standard Version (ESV)  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

The symbolism is forgiveness of sin. We tread the earth and the dust thereof clings to our feet. It is inevitable and unavoidable.

1 John 1:8 English Standard Version (ESV) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

As this is meant to be a shared experience, and we are to forgive each other our sins, then this example set forth by Jesus is a description of the method to be used.

Jesus took the position of the servant, to serve another. In the knelling position He would be looking up into their faces, their countenance. That is a position of humility.

How often do we confess our sin to another? To whom do we confess?

I cannot speak for another person and can only comment upon my own experience. My answer is not enough. I have two accountability partners who I trust and respect enough to share my troubled conscience. Our good conscience should tell us when we need forgiveness.

What we look for in a forgiveness partner is one who will not look down on us because we need to confess a sin.

Galatians 6:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

If we take our conviction of conscience to our brother confessor perhaps we can avoid being “caught” in a transgression. Being caught is a public spectacle whereas conviction of conscience is private.

Romans 9:19 English Standard Version (ESV) You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”

Are you hearing God? God absolutely corrects error and we are often wrong but God chastens lovingly. We have this adversary who accuses us night and day. Our flesh accuses us by desires that we have not yet brought under control. Knowing that we feel weak, ashamed, and unfaithful.

When God cracks the whip He does not lay the strap upon the body. That whip hits the air to the right of us to encourage us to turn left. It is not punishment but rather an indication of His desire for us to turn away from the course we are taking.

Satan on the other hand would have you feel the sting in your flesh which stirs up resentment and resistance. The last thing the will of God wants to create in us is resistance. We are encouraged to cooperate and how can we cooperate if we have no clue as to the will of God?

Galatians 6:2 English Standard Version (ESV) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

The law of Christ is love.

Romans 10:4 English Standard Version (ESV) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Think of the end as the result of obedience of the law not its elimination. We know that the law still exists but our goal is to become more Christ like and sacrifice is how we get there. Sacrifice our opinions because we love Christ. Sacrifice bitterness because we love Christ. Sacrifice self-interest because we love Christ.

Colossians 3:23 King James Version (KJV) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Because you love the Lord.