Christians are servants of the Lord — Jim Bell

Once, when I was a small boy of six or seven years, my dad came home from work very tired and in need of rest. After supper, he said it sure would be nice if someone would wash his feet.

I volunteered to do the job, for I knew he would give me a dime. I got a pan of warm, soapy water and a clean cloth and gently washed his feet. My mother and dad told me I was doing a good job and I was glad to help my dad –– and get a dime!

Washing another’s feet is a humble task, and I doubt if many have ever had the experience. Jesus washed His disciple’s feet, as told in John, chapter 13.

Afterward, He said, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Some Christians believe that Christ intended to institute a foot-washing ordinance to be practiced regularly. Most seem to interpret Christ’s action here as providing an example of humble service. Christians should be willing to perform the most menial services for one another. We should cultivate a servant-attitude in our personalities.

In my experience, I have known people who would do most anything to help someone else, whether it was some kind of work or providing food or clothing, even money.

I have also known those who would not help anyone and were very selfish. Those who helped others seemed to be happy and well-adjusted and with good attitudes. Jesus said we would be blessed if we served others, and this is incentive enough for me. However, we should never think that Christians serve others for personal gain or that they want something for their services. True Christians want to help others and be of service because they want to follow Jesus’ example and please Him.

They don’t want to be paid or paid back. If you want to do something, then follow their example and serve others yourself.

I realize there are people who are humble servants and are not Christians. I pray for them, for I know anyone with a servant’s heart surely loves his fellowman and must be a good person. There are many, today, who believe if they live their life being good, and if there is a God and a heaven, then they will surely go there when they die.

This idea sounds good and is logical, but it doesn’t agree with the teachings of God found in His Holy Word, the Bible. God, the mighty and righteous One, the only God there is, knew man could not be free of sin in his own power, so He gave us His great plan of salvation for all who would believe in Him through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16, Eph. 2:8-9).

In this way, God reconciled Himself to a sinful world and to all mankind. There is no other way we can find forgiveness for our sins. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father except by me.” (John 14:6).

We can’t be good enough to go to heaven, we can’t earn our way there, we can’t buy it or deserve it. Only through faith in Christ can we attain eternal life in heaven.

Is this too high a price to pay — our faith and trust in Christ and God’s forgiveness of our sins? It really isn’t a price at all, for salvation is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ. He paid it all when he died on the cross, so that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Decide today to be a Christian and a servant of God. Then, surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life, and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord, forever (Psalm 23:6). I pray you will.

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Christians are servants of the Lord — Jim Bell