Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/89

Contributor - Henry Van Essen

Title - God's Gift

Topic - Forgiveness

Forgiveness and Foot Washing

Many Christians end their prayers by asking the Lord God to forgive them their sins. What they are doing is asking the Lord to wash their feet. The Lord Jesus did this to His disciples the night before He was crucified (John 13:2-10). This was considered to be the lowliest work for a slave. It was supposed to be done when guests arrived for a meal. The guests would have washed themselves at home, but the dusty streets, with manure of riding and pack animals everywhere, made bare feet in the open sandals quickly dusty or muddy and dirty. Thus the feet were washed once more upon arrival. But the foot-washing by our Lord has a deeper meaning, for when Simon Peter refuses to have his feet washed the Lord Jesus tells him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Then Peter answers, "Lord not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" But the Lord replies, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." The Lord is symbolizing that believers, after they have been completely cleansed of their sins regularly need foot washing. For because of the world in which they live and because of the continuation of the old man in themselves (Romans 7:17-25) they dirty their feet as they walk through life. In this article, however, we deal with the complete bath which is necessary before foot-washing can be effective.

The Need for Forgiveness

This raises the question whether forgiveness is necessary. Sometimes we read in the paper that our government has forgiven a loan to a country in the third world. What is meant by that is that the country does not have to pay back the loan it owes to Canada. The slate is wiped clean as far as that loan is concerned.

We also know that people are sometimes pardoned. They have done something wrong and should be punished for that, but the government pardons them, so that they are freed from the punishment the judge laid upon them.

When we talk about forgiveness from the Lord God we are saying that some people owe the Lord God something, or stand condemned before Him, guilty of some offense. Some people may thank that they do not owe the Lord anything. They may not feel one bit guilty before Him, but the Lord God in His Word declares that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). People who have trouble with admitting their need for forgiveness should study the law of God. "For by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20). Without forgiveness of sins it is impossible to remain in the presence of God. Such people eventually are cast out into utter darkness. (Matthew 22.-12,13). Those however who receive forgiveness are stripped of their rags of sin and clothed with the garments of life and light. (Isaiah 64:6; Zechariah 3:3-5; Luke 15:22). Every human being therefore, needs forgiveness of sin in order to have life abundant.

The Basis of Forgiveness

It is very generous of Canada when it forgives a poor country a loan. Does that mean then, that the loan does not have to be paid? When the loan was granted our government did not list it as an expense, but as an account receivable. When the loan is forgiven our government is still without the money. Now the Canadian taxpayers have to cover it. When a debt is forgiven, somebody always absorbs the loss.

Through sin man has robbed God, (Malachi 3:8), for he has fallen short of the glory of God. The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Instead people "professing to be wise, . . . became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man." (Romans 1:22,23). Mankind on the one hand has robbed the Lord God of His glory, and thus owes Him. On the other hand they have rebelled against His commandments and thus stand guilty before Him deserving punishment. In order for forgiveness to be possible somebody has to pay the bill and somebody has to bear the consequences of sin. The basis of Christian forgiveness is that the Lord Jesus Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh and, on the one hand, gave glory back to God by living human life as it ought to be lived. "Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it." (Psalm 69:4). This is His active obedience. On the other hand, "He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" for "the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5,6). This is His passive obedience. Thus the Lord Jesus took our place and repaid to God the honour He did not owe and suffered the penalty which was ours. This is the basis of forgiveness. God suffered because of man's sin. There is no such thing as cheap grace.

The Invitation to Forgiveness

Sometimes the word 'amnesty' appears in the news. It means "an act of the authority by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals." The Bible tells us that the Lord God does not grant amnesty. He does not give a blanket pardon to all people, or to a nation or to a group of people. Some people think that God has already forgiven everyone, even though they do not worship Him, but the Lord Jesus makes it clear that people are personally invited, (Matthew 22:114). The offer of forgiveness is made wherever the Gospel is preached.

The Prerequisite for Forgiveness

Forgiveness is of grace. It is a gift absolutely free. Yet there is a requirement in order to receive it repentance. The Lord Jesus Himself, during His ministry, called people to repentance. (Matthew 4:17). The apostles followed in His footsteps. (Acts2:38). Repentance means a turning away from our behaviour which dishonours and rebels against the Lord God. It means that we ourselves become sick of our ungodly life and wish to return home to our heavenly Father. (Luke 15:18). We are by nature too stubborn to do this by our own will, but when, by the grace of God, His word softens our hearts and we become open to the work of the Holy Spirit, then we begin to see how we have offended the Lord God. It is then that we repent and receive forgiveness of sin.

The Change Because of Forgiveness

Forgiveness restores a person to fellowship with the Lord God. God the Father at that point delivers "us from the power of darkness and translate[s] us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13, 14). When a person is forgiven it is like crossing a bridge. We cannot cross a bridge and remain where we were before. Our basic position in life has changed after we have received forgiveness. (Remember, we are NOT talking about 'foot washing'.) Scripture declares "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (II Corinthians 5:17). A person who has received forgiveness should now live out of this new relationship and seek to please His Saviour.

The Assurance of Forgiveness

When a person receives this forgiveness it is often a very emotional and joyful experience. A great burden has lifted. The fear of death is gone. For there is no longer condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8.1). The newly cleansed person knows that. He feels like he has begun a new life, and so he has. He has been born again (John 3:3,5). He has come from darkness into light.

The feeling does not remain that strong forever. We remain weak people and need regular assurance of this forgiveness. The Lord God in His grace provides that for His children. Every Sunday our congregation (should) have a prayer of Confession of Sin followed by Words of Assurance. This is indeed 'foot washing.' The Holy Spirit uses that to remind us of our original cleansing through the blood of Christ. 'Foot-washing' therefore reminds and reassures the believer of the bath already received.

We are assured of forgiveness of sin through the Lord's Supper. For there we are shown before our eyes and given to taste with our mouths that the Lord Jesus Christ indeed lived, suffered, died, and rose for us and that we share in his new resurrection life.

The Response to Forgiveness

When we are totally cleansed through forgiveness of sin we are given power to become children of God. (John 1:12). At that point the Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, gives us "all things that pertain to life and godliness." (11 Peter 1:3). This means that we are now enabled to strive against sin (Hebrews 12:4), and to present our "bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is (y)our reasonable service." Therefore "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1,2).

Note: All quotations are from the New King James Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.