Saturday, July 23, 2011
PRECIOUS PASSAGES FROM FIRST PETER
1 Peter 3:21 There is also an anti-type which now saves us -- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
PERSONAL FILTH AND PERSONAL GRACE
Is there such a thing as a "smell stain," I wonder? It seems like there is. It takes several washings to get the smell of motor or fish oil off the hands, skunk spray off the legs, garlic or onion off the breath, smoke off the hair, etc. Recently I was roofing a house with a buddy of mine. The night before, I had a meal with a lot of garlic in it. When I started to sweat my buddy said, "You stink of garlic! What did you eat man!?!" Yes, I admit it, I stunk badly.
Did you know in Old Testament times, the high priests were commanded to do ceremonially washings before they officiated? Their washings did not save them spiritually, but Peter speaks of a washing which does: the washing that Christ does in Holy Baptism.
Do we still think of it that way? Holy Baptism? We should. Why? Because of how the Holy Spirit explains it through Peter in the precious passage above: "not the removal of the filth of the flesh." Maybe there is such a thing as a "smell stain," but I know that the Bible does describe a "soul stain." God's law says in a very disapproving way to me personally, "You stink of sin. What did your soul sinfully consume today, O man!?!" It is a personal accusation that horrifically sticks to me and is impossible for me to wash off. But Christ does for me. He does this through His "washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit ... which He pours out abundantly on me" (Titus 3) through the power of His Holy Word. I look down at my personal filth and see the joy of Christ's Grace -- undeserved love for me -- personally! With the Holy Spirit raising this new man of Christ in me, I have a "good conscience toward God." Like the flood waters of Noah's day, may the spiritual flood of Christ's Holy Baptismal waters remove the stinking filth from my soul, and daily give me the joy of my resurrection in Jesus Christ!
