1Cor.13:4 "Love is patient."
There are two kinds of patience: the patience of law and the patience of love. The patience of law says, "I have to be patient" but fails after some time. The patience of love doesn't say "I have to be patient," because it is already patient. The patience of law struggles hard trying to keep patience, but breaks down sooner because it tries to be what it is not. The patience of love doesn't strive because it is already patient. The patience of law feels excited after it has been patient for a while, but then falls to depression on experiencing failure. But, the patience of love isn't excited about having been patient, for patience is natural to it. The patience of love neither boasts about being patient or considers it a great thing at all. It simply is patient. It doesn't pray "Give me patience". It need not read books on patience-training. It simply is patient.
"Last Supper" by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1750) Yes, it is. Water baptism identifies one with the redemption work of Jesus Christ, with His death, burial, and resurrection. It is anticipated of visible identification with Christ and His Church. Every person has the personal responsibility to examine him/herself before deciding to partake in the Lord's Table. The Bible makes it clear that those who chose not to be baptized were rejecting the counsel of God (Lk.7:30). In a mixed congregation, it is not possible to always know who is worthy to partake of the Table; however, the minister must encourage only those who have been baptized for remission of sins (not just as a ritual but by faith in Jesus Christ) to partake of the Table. Before Jesus sat down to dip bread in the cup, He washed His disciples' feet. He makes the statement that they are already "washed" and only need feet to be washed. Of course, this may not explicitly/only refer to their baptism, fo
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