Is It Wrong to be a Christian out of Obligation?

[KisKatte]

Beware guys, do not marry a woman by imaginating yourself that you decided to love her. She will be tricked by you and for sure this is not mature behaviour, ask sincerely yourself if that is what God wants from you.

And to go back to the topic. God can be loved. God is perfect. But not every person can be loved as a SPOUSE by everybody.

 

[Cis.jd]

What do you think, Wayne, should we take this beyond an arranged marriage analogy?:

NKJ Luke 6:27-28 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 "bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.

NKJ Luke 6:32 "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

NKJ Matt 5:44-48 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

I know it's tough, but this is not about how we feel, but about who we are in Christ. Hopefully you're smart enough to make the right decision assuming your marriage is not arranged by your family. Love is an obligation & this is where God is taking us.

You are missing the point. These are all made through decisions. Doesn't Matt 22:37 say "with all your heart".. how do you do that when forced?

Your confusing the word obligate to be something as a needed trait, a specific behavior you have to omit however, obligation in the context we are talking about is associated with force because this involves a mutual feeling towards someone that isn't real.

Take a look at North Koreans, they are told to love their leader do you think the love that some may have for Kim Jong is completely real or is it because they are afraid not to?

 

[GDL]

This thread has become silly.
Feelings exist. Emotions exist. People make choices.
Biblical Love is action - it is commanded & it is explained.
The OP has been answered.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to do something because you're supposed to. In a continual walk with God (which BTW is another thing we're supposed to be doing, so I hope you want & decide to do this also):

NKJ 1 Thess. 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely (complete in every way); and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Actually, if more of us were wanting to do, deciding to do, and doing what we're supposed to be doing - like Loving God & neighbor by keeping God's commandments & not being burdened by this - instead of doing what we feel like doing, we'd be in a lot better condition.

 

[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?

This just came to mind and it made me think of this post...

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NASB) For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

 

[Noxot]

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?"

you really have to search your heart thoroughly and wrestle with God to understand if it's good or not good. Dutifulness can be a virtue and it can be a vice. I don't think we have to be miserable with God. If we cannot taste and see that God is good then what kind of Faith do we have? I value freedom and so I can never serve a tyrant but I don't think that God is a tyrant.