Is It Wrong to be a Christian out of Obligation?

[Jaedan]

Hi, I have a simple question.

Is it wrong that I want to serve and follow God just because it is what "I'm supposed to do?"

 

[Cormack]

Is it wrong that I want to serve and follow God just because it is what "I'm supposed to do?"

I don’t think so. That sounds like a sense of duty. During the two great wars men fought for their countries against Germany and (in WW2) the Axis of evil not because it gave them the warm fuzzies, the idea of fighting was actually very frightening, but they did it out of duty. Same goes for parents who raise a needy child, it’s not always love or fun or excitement that’s motivating, it’s duty of care to the child.

You aren’t wrong, you could be more right, having more noble or praiseworthy motivations for the things you want to do, but who really needs that form of self flattery. Duty is plenty noble.

 

[GDL]

Hi, I have a simple question.

Is it wrong that I want to serve and follow God just because it is what "I'm supposed to do?"

Not at all! Is this also what you want to do? And do you believe that Jesus is the Christ & know that Christ is a title of the one with all authority in Heaven & on earth?

The way I read our Text, and after dealing with many professed believers for many years, I think those properly oriented to the authority of God are the ones who truly get it.

There are a lot of ways to approach this from the Biblical Text, but here are a few:

NKJ John 4:21-26 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming " (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."

- Firstly, "Christ" is a title of absolute authority - so how are we supposed to orient to proper authority - what are we "supposed to do"?
- Next, when a word is repeated like this in Scripture, let alone by Jesus Christ, it is being emphasized, so we should pay close attention to what it means.
- This word means to "bow in obeisance" - it's what one does when in the presence of a high authority - it denotes being submitted & obedient - in this wording it is to be willfully submitted & obedient in line with Truth
- Note that Jesus says this is the characteristic of the person God is seeking

NKJ 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

- Very simply put, we love God when we obey Him (and elsewhere we can see that when we obey Him we believe in Him & who He is)
- Actually this word "keep" goes deeper than just obeying - it has the meaning of guarding - we guard & keep (& obey in this case) what we think is valuable.

We can add & add to this. Suffice it to say for now that by thinking you're supposed to serve & follow God, you're actually oriented to who He is. The thing to check & ask His assistance on is that you also want to do this. Back to John 4, the willful bowing of the knee is what He is seeking & developing in His People through Faith that Jesus is The Christ (who I didn't see you mention).

NKJ Philippians 2:1-16 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

 

[Soyeong]

Hi, I have a simple question.

Is it wrong that I want to serve and follow God just because it is what "I'm supposed to do?"

Hello,

We ought to serve God, so we should follow Him for that reason if for no other reason. It is certainly better than choosing not to serve God, so there is nothing wrong with it, however, there are fuller reasons to serve God. It would be like a marriage where someone cares for their spouse just because that is what they vowed to do. Yes, that is what they are supposed to do, and is certainly better than not doing that, so there is nothing wrong with that, but there can be so much more than that with delighting in being in an intimate relationship based on faith and love, which allows no thing to get between them. A covenant is like a marriage relationship with God based on faith and love. David said repeatedly throughout the Psalms that he loved God's law and delighted in obeying it, so it should be something that we have the delight of getting to do. God did not give us commands just for us to jump through hoops, but rather there is meaning to His commands because they teach us how to testify about who He is and about how to become more like Him through putting His nature on display, they teach us how to grow in a relationship with Him based on faith and love, and they teach us how to repair the world and reconcile the world to God, so there is more to serving God than just what we are supposed to do.

 

[eleos1954]

Hi, I have a simple question.

Is it wrong that I want to serve and follow God just because it is what "I'm supposed to do?"

well .... your question is a bit conflated ... on one hand you say I WANT to serve and follow God ..... and on the other hand .... I do it because I am supposed to.

so I guess you need to examine your heart and discern what your motivation is.

Love? or something else?

 

[GDL]

well .... your question is a bit conflated ... on one hand you say I WANT to serve and follow God ..... and on the other hand .... I do it because I am supposed to.

Isn't wanting to do what you're supposed to do a good thing? In Christ it's part of what God is producing in a believer (Phil2:13). It's also part of the Fear of God (Phil2:12, et.al). To will to do and to do pleases Him and is ultimately loving Him (1J5:3).

 

[bèlla]

I feel deeply indebted to the Lord for my deliverance. But I love Him a great deal too. Duty fuels my pursuit of purpose. Love draws me closer to Him. And the circle continues.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

 

[eleos1954]

Isn't wanting to do what you're supposed to do a good thing? In Christ it's part of what God is producing in a believer (Phil2:13). It's also part of the Fear of God (Phil2:12, et.al). To will to do and to do pleases Him and is ultimately loving Him (1J5:3).

Isn't wanting to do what you're supposed to do a good thing?

Yes it is .... the way the question was phrased was not clear what the motivation is to me .... perhaps I just misunderstand ;o)

 

[GDL]

Yes it is .... the way the question was phrased was not clear what the motivation is to me .... perhaps I just misunderstand ;o)

Thought you might say this just based upon your screen info & name ;o)

 

[Sketcher]

Walking with Christ includes a duty to be obedient to him, but there's more to it than that.

Do you believe that God exists, and is who the Bible says he is?
Do you believe that you have sinned and fallen short of what God requires?
Do you believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died and rose again to pay your sin penalty?
Have you prayed to receive the Holy Spirit?
Do you put your faith in what Jesus did to save you from your sins?

If the answer is "yes" to all that, there should be gratitude towards God. This works with your duty. God redeemed me when I did not deserve it. He owns my life, but I owe him my life.

 

[xaris]

Hi, I have a simple question.

Is it wrong that I want to serve and follow God just because it is what "I'm supposed to do?"

If that's how you or anyone feels, then they haven't grasped the true reason why Jesus had to die and rise for our sins.

 

[Jaedan]

If that's how you or anyone feels, then they haven't grasped the true reason why Jesus had to die and rise for our sins.

I don't really know what else there is to grasp. I have spent years reading and hearing about what Jesus has done.

I completely understand and accept what he has done. Are you implying that I am missing something?

 

[Sabertooth]

Are you implying that I am missing something?

Your OP is implying that.

Jesus said,
“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.

One owed five hundred denarii,
and the other fifty.​

And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.
Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”
Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman? I entered your house;
you gave Me no water for My feet,

but she has washed My feet with her tears
and wiped them with the hair of her head.​

You gave Me no kiss,

but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.​

You did not anoint My head with oil,

but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.​

Therefore I say to you,

her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.
But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:41-47 NKJV​

 

[Jaedan]

Your OP is implying that.

Jesus said,
“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.

One owed five hundred denarii,
and the other fifty.​

And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.
Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”
Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman? I entered your house;
you gave Me no water for My feet,

but she has washed My feet with her tears
and wiped them with the hair of her head.​

You gave Me no kiss,

but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.​

You did not anoint My head with oil,

but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.​

Therefore I say to you,

her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.
But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:41-47 NKJV​

Are you saying that I don't love Jesus enough?

 

[Sabertooth]

Are you saying that I don't love Jesus enough?

No, you are.

[I follow God] just because it is what "I'm supposed to do?"

The two greatest commandments are

1. To love YHVH, your God, with all of your mind, strength, heart & soul, and
2. To love your neighbor as yourself.

(We need His help to pull that off.)

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

Hi, I have a simple question.

Is it wrong that I want to serve and follow God just because it is what "I'm supposed to do?"

as you realize how Good He is, your service should become the automatic result of your relationship with Him. your motive is more important to Him than your service. He wants to have a personal relationship with you, but if you limit your relationship to mere 'duty', you will never truly know Him as Loving Father -and you'll not allow Him to know you as His son:

(Mat 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(Mat 7:22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(Mat 7:23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

[Sketcher]

I don't really know what else there is to grasp. I have spent years reading and hearing about what Jesus has done.

I completely understand and accept what he has done. Are you implying that I am missing something?

I'm not going to pretend to answer for the person you asked the question to, but your question conveyed more information about yourself, so based on that, I thought I'd add something.

We don't always feel like doing what God wants us to do, we don't always feel like worshiping him. Sometimes we do not experience joy. That's when we've got to do right by God anyway. Duty is part of that. But as we do our duty, we need to move back towards being more loving towards God and more willing to do his will. To this end, I have often prayed, "Lord, I love you, but I don't love you enough. Help me to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength."

 

[Jaedan]

as you realize how Good He is, your service should become the automatic result of your relationship with Him. your motive is more important to Him than your service. He wants to have a personal relationship with you, but if you limit your relationship to mere 'duty', you will never truly know Him as Loving Father -and you'll not allow Him to know you as His son:

(Mat 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(Mat 7:22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(Mat 7:23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

1. I have spent much time worrying that I have not yet realized "how Good He is." I don't need Him to show me how good He is (if He decides to show me, that's lovely, of course) for me to do service.

2. Other than the obviously selfish and wrong motives that can sneak in, I don't really have a motive behind serving/following God. Like I said earlier, I just feel like serving/following God is what is required from me to do

3. I will admit, my relationship with Him is far from perfect and almost non-existent (it's been awfully bad and tremendously confusing since the beginning). However, I still want to do my "duty."

I do agree with the verses you have selected. I 100% agree that he will probably tell me that "I never knew you."

 

[xaris]

I don't really know what else there is to grasp. I have spent years reading and hearing about what Jesus has done.

I completely understand and accept what he has done. Are you implying that I am missing something?

IMHO we follow and serve Him not out of obligation but...

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and has washed us from our sins in his blood,
(Rev 1:5)

We love because He has first loved us.
(1Jn 4:19)

For which cause I say to thee, Her many sins are forgiven; for she loved much; but he to whom little is forgiven loves little.
(Luk 7:47)

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

1. I have spent much time worrying that I have not yet realized "how Good He is." I don't need Him to show me how good He is (if He decides to show me, that's lovely, of course) for me to do service.

2. Other than the obviously selfish and wrong motives that can sneak in, I don't really have a motive behind serving/following God. Like I said earlier, I just feel like serving/following God is what is required from me to do

3. I will admit, my relationship with Him is far from perfect and almost non-existent (it's been awfully bad and tremendously confusing since the beginning). However, I still want to do my "duty."

I do agree with the verses you have selected. I 100% agree that he will probably tell me that "I never knew you."

He has shown you; every breath you take, every beat of your heart, everything beautiful that you see in the earth He created for us - but none of us have yet realized how Good He is - there's no need to worry about that

serving out of obligation is a starting point, but you already know that there's something missing in obligatory service; that's why you're asking, isn't it? no one's relationship with Him is perfect; we have an enemy who does his best to confuse us, but that's the devil; not God.

actually, your question here makes me think He does know you; but would you agree with Him about that?