The Christian’s Eternal Standing - Psalm 26:12

Text:  “My foot standeth (stands, and continues to stand) in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.” 

      Psalm 26:12.

Good morning, Eternally Standing Christian!  I am, by God’s Sovereign grace alone, a Bible Teacher/Pastor/Evangelist who most fervently believes in the theological concepts of State and Standing.  To grasp the knowledge of this great Spiritual theme is to be forever free from both liberalism and legalsim.  Come, beloved in Christ Jesus, let me have the privilege of teaching you about the State and the Standing of the regenerate, born again, Christian believer.  “He that hath an ear, let him/her hear…”

Having been Spiritually washed in the Blood of the Lamb, Christ Jesus; Redeemed by His Holy and all-cleansing Blood - we are - in our Standing before God - every whit Spiritually clean; hidden in Christ Jesus. Praise God for Salvation!  Hallelujah!

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  (Isaiah 1:18)

Yet, because you and I walk as pilgrims through this barren and sinful world, our feet, our hands, our minds, our very hearts (whole essence of being), get continually soiled by sin; therefore our daily Spiritual State needs constant and continual attention. In our present Spiritual State, therefore - we need to be continually washed afresh from sin, through confession of sin, and a daily ‘…washing of the water of the Word…’

This is what I refer to as ‘Big Tub - Little Tub’ Spiritual Bathing.

Anyone who has been privileged to have undertaken Missions to India and beyond has experienced what I call the ‘big tub - little tub’ washing procedure.  In any basic hotel room, or living quarters, one has a room designated as a toilet and bathing area - what we in the West recognise as a bathroom. However, in Asian countries, these ‘bathrooms’ are quite different from our own. Except in more affluent buildings, these bathrooms are completely devoid of a shower facility, or a bathtub!

When bathing, one is brought a big plastic tub of hot water, it is carried into the bathroom area, and left for the occupant’s use. There is always a little plastic tub with a handle attached with which to dip into the big tub of hot water. There is usually a cold water tap only, one uses this cold water from the tap to cool the big tub of hot water.

Therefore, one strips down, stands in the bathing area and, using the little plastic tub to dip into the big tub, pours water over ones head and body; soaps down, and then rinses

off, again using this ‘big tub - little tub’ method. All Missionaries know the benefit of the ‘big tub, little tub’ bathing experience. In those hot and often dusty lands, one needs to be clean.

Bringing this concept into the Spiritual realm, and in the context of our Bible teaching for today - ALL Christians should know the benefit of the Spiritual ’big tub - little tub’ experience. We should all be ’double-bathed’ in our Christian faith. Let us learn the power of being ’double-bathed’ Christians; let us take a stand for Christ’s Cause.

“But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (entire lifestyle); because it is written, Be ye holy for I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

Key Verse: “Jesus saith to him (Simon Peter), He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit; and ye are clean, but not all.” (John 13:10)

‘Big Tub’ Wash: Spiritually speaking, we born again believers receive our ‘Big Tub Wash’ the moment we submit ourselves in obedience to God; in repentance from sin; and cry out for God’s Salvation in Christ alone. We are Redeemed, washed in the precious Blood of Christ the Lamb, shed for our vile sins at Calvary’s Cross. We are made ‘…white as snow…as wool…‘ for Eternity. Hallelujah! Jesus paid it ALL! (Isaiah 1:18) (1 John 1:7)

In our Standing: The entire sin question for us is nailed to Christ’s Cross. ‘…the Blood of Christ Jesus…cleanses us from all sin.’  In our State: We get Spiritually dirty.

‘Little Tub’ Washing: In our daily walk, our State in this world, we get increasingly dirty, Spiritually speaking. That is why we need the ’little tub’ wash daily. It is what we theologians call Progressive Sanctification, in word, thought and deed.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us (‘little tub’) from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)

“Now are ye clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me (Christ Jesus), and I in you…” (John 15:3-4) (Ephesians 5:26)

Sin separates us from our Holy Lord God - flee from it! (Isaiah 59:1-2)  The two words in our key verse ‘washed’ and ‘wash’ are interpreted in this manner - ‘the big bath’ and ‘the little tidy-up bath‘.   One is our Standing, the other our State.  In our Standing, we are Eternally cleansed by Christ’s Blood when saved. In our State, we are progressively cleansed by prayer and the Word of God. We are in this Spiritual manner, saved and sanctified, 'fit for the Master's use'. (2 Timothy 2:20-21)  Are you standing for Christ?

Thought: Washed by Christ’s Blood and the Word:  “My foot standeth…” Amen.