Washing The Feet Of The Saints

1 Timothy 5:5-13 - The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.

Romans 12:13 - Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

John 13:14 - Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 - We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

Conclusions:

• The Christian has social responsibility to all people, but especially to other believers
• Christians should be willing to perform the most menial services for one another
• Busybodies are worse than idle, they interfere with other people’s affairs, a problem to which idleness often leads

Application:

• Are you socially responsible to all people?
• Are you willing to perform the most menial services for others?
• Do you interfere with other people's affairs?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Goal of Christians

1 Thessalonians 3:11 - Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Ephesians 1:18-23 - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Philippians 1:9-11 - And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Colossians 1:9-12 - For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 - Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Conclusions:

• The extraordinary divine force by which Jesus Christ was raised is the same power at work in and through believers
• Christ is not only Head of the Church, but also Head of everything
• Christian love is not mere sentiment; it is rooted in knowledge and understanding
• Christians are to approve what is morally and ethically superior
• The goal of Christians in this life is to be without any mixture of evil and not open to censure because of moral or spiritual failure
• On the day of Christ, the goal will be perfectly realized, and the Christians must give an account
• Knowledge and wisdom in the Bible are practical, having to do with godly living
• Knowledge, wisdom and understanding result in a life worthy of the Lord
• Light symbolizes holiness, truth, love, glory and life
• God and the Christian are characterized by light
• Christians have a vital union and living relationship with the Father and the Son
• The close connection between the Father and the Son points to the Trinitarian relationship

Application:

• Is the power that raised Jesus Christ at work in and through you?
• Is your love rooted in knowledge and understanding?
• Do you approve what is morally and ethically superior?
• Is your goal to be without any mixture of evil?
• Are you ready to give an account?
• Are you characterized by light?
• Do you have a vital union with both the Father and the Son?
• Do you live a godly life?

All scripture verses taken from the NIV.

Conclusions may derived from NIV study Bible comments