Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
Summary: Serving others is not limited to servants. We all serve somebody. Paul tells us to server wholeheartedly, and then he tells us why.
When do we serve others? After Jesus washed his disciple’s feet he said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14) So when was the last time you washed someone else’s feet?
Jesus tended to speak in parables (Mark 4:10-12), so we have a choice when it comes to the example of washing the disciple’s feet. Are we supposed to literally wash feet, or is the washing of feet a parable for serving others?
If Jesus’ example of washing feet is to have any value for us in modern times, it has to be a parable. Jesus does for his disciples what the lowest servant in a house would do for people coming into the house. It was not a prestigious job.
Did Jesus mind washing their feet? What about Judas? Jesus knew Judas would betray him. Did he mind washing Judas’s feet?
I would have minded!
Yet, Jesus was making a point. He was demonstrating what it means to love God above all else and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22: 37-40). He was being obedient to the Father. When it comes to serving others, whether it is our boss or our spouse, Paul points out who we are really serving.
Hint: It’s not the person in front of us.
Keeping our eye on God is difficult because God is, well … invisible. Instead, we have to keep our heart’s “eyes” on God. As we clean up after someone else, do an errand for someone, or do something when we least want to do it; we have to remember that we are serving God.
Application: Serve God above all else.
Food for Thought: How would our service to the Lord Jesus change if we were in the physical presence of God?
How would our service to the Lord Jesus change if we were in the physical presence of God?
It would be easier. As the saying is “out of sight, out of mind” We do forget to serve God because we don’t see Him. We forget that serving others is what He asked is to do, because we don’t see Him.
What’s more, right now, we don’t see His face when He is pleased by our actions. Or displeased, which could strike fear on us if we did see that.
It’s easier to lean on someone next to you, easier to ask for help when you can hear their response, easier to ask advise when you don’t have to assume the answer, easier to believe the power of God when you can see the nail scarred hand.
There is less doubt in God’s presence.
All of these difficulties are what makes our lives an act of faith. Faith is hard, sight is easier.
Angela,
Beautifully written, and your point is well made. Faith wouldn’t be faith if we could see by sight. Yet, as you allude to, faith requires us to keep our faith eyes focused on the Lord.
Good comments A.
I find this a difficult question to answer because things will be very different in His presence. We might learn from how the prophet Isaiah responded in Isaiah 6: 1 – 8. He knew he was unworthy and undeserving to serve the Lord. But when he was cleansed he was bold to serve. We are cleaning Christ. We can be bold to serve today. We don’t have to wait.
Great point, Rich!
We are clean in Christ and free to speak the truth as truth.
*we are clean in Christ
Thoughtful question!
09-30-2023, How would our service to the Lord Jesus change if we were in the physical presence of God?
Within Revelation 12:3-4 and 12:9 we see Satan and 1/3 of those who were living in the presence of God, rebelled against God and were cast from heaven.
God has determined His people will be people who choose to live according to His will by faith. He has placed His truths in the hearts of men, Romans 2:15, and today all are under conviction of truth, by the Holy Spirit, John 16:8- 15. Our choice today has eternal reward or consequences.
John 4:24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Ron,
For the record: All my questions are “thoughtful.” It’s just that some questions are more “full” than others. 🙂