Duty is not a Dirty Word

Sorry folks for missing last week. I had to go out of town on a business trip.

All bible quotes not otherwise marked are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)

When we are adopted into Christ’s family we become God’s children. Just like a child in any other family there are expectations. We have responsibilities. As a family, not all of us have the same responsibilities but we are supposed to do what God wants us to do.

I’ve noticed recently that there seems to be a dearth of people who think about duty the way our parents thought about duty. In this world, we seem to think we are owed something. Instead of thinking what we can do to help, we wonder how we are going to get what is due us.

So let me tell you right off. We don’t want what is due us. We are due Hell. Human beings down to the last person who ever lived all deserve Hell. We are in rebellion against God. If it were all up to us, we’d be in real big trouble. The biggest.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our wages which is what we are due is death. And the death mentioned here is not just physical death. It is eternal death in the lake of fire.

I saw a necklace I really liked the other day. It said “but God” and that was it. Why is that such a profound statement. Because all good things happen because of God. We were hopelessly lost in our sins. God intervened on our behalf not because we deserved it but because He loved us.

John 3:16-18
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

This is one of the best known verses in the whole bible. We need though to read it in context. God so loved the world that He gave his only Son. God made a great sacrifice for us. He didn’t owe it to us. Note in verse 18. Whoever is does not believe is condemned already. The righteous judgment and wrath abides upon them.

John 3:36
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him

The wrath of God. The being that created the universe is going to unleash His wrath upon those who do not believe. It’s going to be the wrath of a Father whose only Son’s sacrifice was rejected.

So let’s move on. This blog is for those who believe already. If you don’t believe please dwell on what is said above. Believe on Jesus as your savior or you will see God’s wrath.

What though is the duty of those who have believed?

Romans 12:1-2
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Luke 10:25-28
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

So to summarize.

• Live sacrificially for Christ. His work must be a priority.

• Obey the word of God. Live in such a way others will see Jesus in you.

• Lead with love for God and for others. Put others first.

• Guard your mind and heart. Dwell on good things. Do not let bad things have access to your mind.

How can we summarize all of these things. Duty. We need to realize that we were bought and paid for by Jesus Christ. We have a duty to serve Him. We have a duty to seek His will for our lives.

This world is going to Hell. Literally. Billions are slipping away into an eternity separated from God. What is our job on this earth? Is it to make this world a better place? Good luck. Yes we can make it a little better. It’s not going to become a good place. We are here to accomplish the great commission. Everything goes back to that final command from Christ.

Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is our prime directive. This is our ultimate mission. Everything derives from this one command. We are ambassadors reaching out to a lost and dying world.

We don’t just lead them to salvation though. We equip them through discipleship to carry on the work. We gain allies in the quest to complete our mission. We have brothers and sisters beside us in the most important labor we will ever do. Nothing compares to it.

Thank you for reading. There will be more God willing. I love you all. I pray God blesses your mission.