I don’t like the phrase, “my Christian duty.” It sounds very mandatory and obligatory. I don’t do things because its “my Christian duty,” nor do I encourage others to do things out of “Christian duty.”

In third grade my friend Dallas was waiting for me to walk to school. When I finally walked out of my house, I told him I was sorry for being late but that my mother had me go back and brush my teeth. I asked him if his mother makes him brush his teeth. He answered, “No, I brush them so I don’t get cavities.”

I hadn’t actually considered that reason to brush my teeth. I’m sure my mom probably told me. Yet, at that moment, it really struck me. From that day forward my motivation for brushing teeth changed.

The word “duty” is defined as a moral or legal obligation, a task or action that someone is required to perform. When it comes to living our lives as Christians, according to what the Bible teaches, do we do and say those things because it is our Christian duty? Because we have to? Because we are supposed to? I don’t.

Two Reasons

There are two reasons why I do the things I do to try and live my life according to what the Bible teaches. Those two reasons are based on my belief that the Bible, rightly understood, is indeed the will of God. (And yes, I do fall short on far too many occasions.)

My first reason is gratitude. One could write a very impressive and humbling list of wonderful things our loving God has given to those who accept Christ. For each and every born again Christian, God has indeed showered us with His marvelous Grace.

Even if all God ever gave us was eternal life, would that not be reason and motivation to live our lives according to His Word? Absolutely! But He lovingly gives so much more: forgiveness of all sins, righteousness, no condemnation, His spirit, His unconditional love, and so much more!

I am convinced that when a Christian knows, understands, accepts, and believes what God has already done for each and every born again Christian, the motivation to live according to the Bible will be out of gratitude and not duty.

The second reason relates back to the incident I shared earlier, from third grade. In the Bible, God lovingly gives us information concerning many topics. One can read about finances, relationships, health, sex, marriage, children, etc. We read not only verses of information, but also verses of warnings, and verses of promises.

For example, I practice the principles found in the Bible concerning prosperity not out of duty, but because I understand the warnings as well as the promises from God in that category, just like I learned in third grade to brush my teeth not out of duty but to avoid unpleasant trips to the dentist.

My motivation to endeavor to live my life according to the Bible is not out of duty. Rather it is out of love for our God and Father, Who is so kind and gracious to give information, promises and warnings about all aspects of life. And it is also out of gratitude for all He has already done for me because of Christ’s accomplished work.

My motivation is not a moral or legal obligation. It is not out of duty. My motivation is love and gratitude to God, as well as awareness that I earned nothing and I deserve nothing.

Perhaps this perspective may trigger some scriptures you’re familiar with, like, “We love Him because He first loved us;” “If God so loved us we ought also to love one another;” “…even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye;” “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.”

And…

Oh, and I dare not forget to mention the great hope we born again ones have! God will one day indeed send His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to gather us together! And so shall we ever be with the Lord!

Gratitude? Yes! Love? Yes! Duty? No.

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