DUTY’S PATH
No Longer Pleasing Ourselves
Part 3

BEAR WITH THE FAILINGS OF THE WEAK

Romans 15:1: “We then that are strong ought (it is our duty) to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

It’s easy to pass by those who are weak and struggling as we get on with our own busy lives with all our visions and projects. But God wants us to take time for the weak and fainthearted—to invite them to our homes, to bear them up, to encourage, and hold them up.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 exhorts us to “comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” This certainly takes forgetting about our own interestes and reaching out with hospitality, forbearance, and love.

WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET

You know the incident of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet which is a picture of servanthood and willingly choosing the lowly place. Although Jesus was God and came from the glory of eternity, He was always willing to take the humble position.

He reminded His disciples that the one who serves is the greatest in the kingdom of God. Therefore, after He washed their feet, He said to them, and to you and me: “Ye call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet: ye also ought (it is your duty) to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13-15).

When living in Australia, my dear friend, Val Stares asked us all to their home for a meal. It was raining and because they were building, it was a muddy path to their front door. But as we walked in the door, there was Val with her apron on and a big basin of warm soapy water to wash our feet as we arrived. And not only to wash our feet, but to welcome us with love and blessing.

We need to constantly remind ourselves of the attitude God wants us to have to one another. Take a moment to read these Scriptures about servanthood: Matthew 20:26-28; 23:11; Mark 10:43-45; Luke 7:28; 22:24-27; and Philippians 2:5-8.

THANK GOD FOR ONE ANOTHER

Paul writes to the Thessalonians believers in 2 Thessalonians 1:3 and 2:13: “We are bound (we have a duty) to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

I think this is something we often forget to do, isn’t it? I feel guilty as I think how often I forget. If we thanked God more often for specific brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, we’d be reminded more of special things to do for them, to encourage them, and to spur them on in the faith. May God save us from getting so taken up with our selfish lives that we forget to thank God for other believers who are part of our lives.

Years ago I remember God speaking to me very powerfully. I was walking over the doorstep into my home when I heard God speak strongly to my heart, “Nancy, how can I reveal to you the needs of others if you are always thinking about yourself?” What a powerful question. We need to give God room in our hearts and minds for others. If our minds are totally taken up with thinking about ourselves, how will we have room to think of other people, to thank God for them, and bless and encourage them?

Wouldn’t it be great to take on the challenge of thinking of one extra person each day? To thank God for them and to think of something special we could do to encourage them. Either give them a call, send them a card, write them a loving message, or listen closely to the Holy Spirit for some specific thing He wants us to do for them.

Can you stop for a moment now and thank of someone for whom you are grateful? Pray for them. Ask God for something specific you could do for them.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, please save me from always thinking about myself. Help me to make it a habit to think of others and their needs. Please show me how I can reveal Your love to those who are needy. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I’m opening up my heart and mind to think of the needs of others.