WHAT IS OUR DUTY? Part 2
Beyond our Normal Selfish Lives

“Whosever will be great among you; let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to e ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many”
(Matthew 20:26-28).

Here are some more biblical “duties” for you today:

1) WALKING AS JESUS WALKED

This is a tall order, isn’t it? 1 John 2:6 says: “He that saith he abideth in him ought (it’s our duty) to walk, even as he walked.” We read this Scripture in our morning devotions today. Our life must match our confession. If we confess that Jesus is Lord and abides in us, His life should be revealed through us—in our homes and in our family lives.

“Even as Jesus walked.” That’s a tall order, isn’t it? Of course, we cannot do it in our own strength. It is only as Christ’s life abides in us and flows through us.

2) LAYING DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OUR FELLOW BELIEVERS

1 John 3:16 says: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought (it’s our duty) to lay down our lives for the brethren.” The NLT says it very clearly: “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

Do you think we could be a long way off the true picture of Christianity?

3) SHOWING HOSPITALITY AND PROVIDING FOR TRAVELING MISSIONARIES

3 John 1:5-8: “Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers . . . We therefore ought (it’s our duty) to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.” As we show hospitality and financially support those who are preaching and teaching the gospel of truth, we are co-workers with them and with the Holy Spirit. We are companions with them for spreading the truth.

Romans 15:27 (NLT) says: “Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.” The KJV states that it is their “duty.”

4) HUSBANDS LOVING THEIR WIVES AS THEIR OWN BODIES

Ephesians 5:28 (AMP): “Even so (read verses 25-27) husbands should and are morally obligated (it’s their duty) to love their own wives as (being in a sense) their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. “

This is God’s vision for marriage. His ways are wondrous. But there are two sad things about this Scripture. Firstly, the feminist movement are foundationally against men, especially in marriage. They’d rather eliminate them. How sad that they don’t understand God’s wondrous plan that a husband is to be as concerned about his wife as he is about his own body.

Secondly, it is sad that so many husbands have not been taught their duty and moral obligation from God. When they know it and embrace it, they not only gloriously bless their wives, but their own lives also! Their duty turns into glorious delight!

5) WASHING 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 had come from the glory of eternity, He was always willing to take the humble positron.

He reminded His disciples that the one who serves is the greatest in the kingdom of God. Therefore, after He washed their feet, He says 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’s 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).

We may not literally wash someone’s feet each day, but we can willingly serve in our homes and those who are around us. Even in menial and lowly things. Jesus actually says it is our duty!

PRAYER:

“Dear Lord Jesus, You came to this earth to be a servant and to give Your life. Please help me to follow in Your footsteps and that to serve is the greatest ministry of all. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am JOYFULLY serving in my home. It is my greatest privilege.

P.S. Scriptures to look up about being a servant: (Matthew 20:26-28; 23:11; Mark 10:43-45; Luke 7:28; 22:24-27; Philippians 2:5-8; and 1 Peter 2:21).