Quote:
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. John 13:14
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Jesus, creator of the universe, very God, humbled himself to serve. He made it clear that the kind of leaders he wants are servant-leaders. Not bossy, impatient, lording-their-authority leaders.
Quote:
you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.
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This passage might be a little too familiar. Stop and think how it would go if it supported a punitive approach to bad behavior. It could have said, "You were dead in your transgressions and sins - too bad for you. You got that lightning bolt you so richly deserved."
Instead of the punishment we deserved, God sent more help, more love, more mercy. That's grace.