“Duty is defined as “a moral obligation or responsibility.”
Proverbs 21:3
“To do righteousness and justice is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.”
Q: What does it mean to you personally “to do righteousness and justice?”
This means that I strive to live according to the commandments and instructions that God has given me. Being obedient is more important than just “going through the motions.” Example: God spared Abraham’s son, Isaac, because Abraham was being obedient to God; this was more important than the actual blood sacrifice.
Q: What are some of your standards for conduct in duty?
We have a duty to honor God with our bodies according to 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. We also have a duty to pray without ceasing according to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. My obedience to God’s commands are shown through the actions which His grace has enabled me to do!
Psalms 37:4 & 5
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”
Q: What attitude turns your “duty” into your “delight?”
When I put my full trust in God that HIS way is better. If I stop looking at obedience as an instruction manual and trust that the Lord will give me the strength, desire and passion to obey him, He will, in turn, give me joy.
Q: Why does this golden attitude reap benefits and blessings from the Lord?
It enables me to delight in doing what glorifies God! If I serve God grudgingly, I may still fulfill the duty but will miss out on the blessing or “delight” of a joyful heart. God loves to bless us when we obey him like a good earthly father does with his child.
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Hebrews 12:1 & 2: – “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Q: How does Jesus’ amazing attitude towards His duty on earth inspire you ?
Jesus never complained or did anything begrudgingly. He fulfilled His duties with joy, hope and purpose and delighted in His trials. He inspires me to fulfill my duties as a Christian with a positive attitude, knowing I have a greater purpose.
2 Corinthians 5:14 – “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died.”
Webster’s Dictionary defines constraint as “to compel someone towards a practical course of action.
Q: “How does Jesus’ love “constrain” you to keep the moral standards you live by maintaining the attitude of Christ?
His love “constrains” me by transforming my need for affirmation outside of Christ. By understanding Christ’s unconditional love for me in His sacrifice, I am no longer compelled to live for others but rather act in a way that glorifies Christ.
Paul
2 Timothy 2:2 – “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3 & 4 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.”
Q: What is God communicating to you about your duty in this passage? What is your standard to be able to fulfill this all important duty?
First, I am called to disciple others and share the gospel. Second, I need to strive to avoid sexual immorality. The standard is sanctification, to literally be “set apart for Christ.” I can do this by avoiding temptation and surrounding myself with Godly accountability partners.
2 Timothy 2:15 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
Q: What is your duty in terms of your reading and acting upon the Word of God? How can you turn this duty into a delight?
By making time in God’s Word like a four course meal: praying, listening to worship, reading God’s Word, and journaling thoughts. The more obedient I am with focusing on scripture, the more joy I will get from learning more about Christ!
APPLICATION: How do these passages relate to me today? What changes do they bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM: Is there anything this week that you have been enslaved to, and how we can help you?
