OUR DUTY TO CHRIST

Duty may be defined as “conduct due to parents and superiors” (respect) or “something that you must do because it is morally right or because the law requires it”. It was Theodore Roosevelt who once commented on duty when he said, “The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first and love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life.” Jesus, however, pointed out the Christian’s duty in this commandment: “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31 ESV)

The words “Christian duty” are not often used today, but what do they mean for the Christian in practical experience? Christ’s words above certainly mean that Christians are to be “doers” and not merely hearers. A Christian’s duty to Christ is keeping His commandments. It is loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is loving your neighbor as yourself.