The Proclaimer

The Christian's Obligations

Of all the forces in the lives of men that influence character and destiny none is more potent than our sense of obligation.  In fact the achievements of any life will be in exact proportion to the intensity of this sense or feeling of obligation that we have toward personal responsibility.  Therefore, the earlier we feel a deep and profound sense of obligation toward our God and our fellow man, the higher life will rise in achievement and service.  How many years have been wasted simply because we did not feel any obligation to the Lord?

Jesus felt this obligation at a very tender age.  You will remember the story of how at the age of twelve Jesus accompanied his parents to the city of Jerusalem when they went up to the feast of the Passover.  Upon being accidentally left behind in Jerusalem, after three days He was found in the Temple “sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions.”  When His mother asked, “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I sought thee sorrowing.  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me?  Know ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:43-49)  The sense of obligation that Jesus felt at such an early age to be about His Father’s business ought to serve as an example for each one of us. 

As a Christians we must understand that we belong to God, “for ye are not your own; you were bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). We have been redeemed not with “corruptible things, like silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18, 19).  We have entered, by our own volition and choice, into covenant relationship with God.  We did this when we became a Christian through our obedience to the gospel.  We must understand, therefore, that our obligation is to God, first, last and for all time. 

In order to serve God I must first realize and accept the obligations that I have to myself.  I am obligated first of all to know God’s will.  Just what does God expect of me?  I have understood and felt obligation to the elementary requirements of salvation: to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, John 2:30-31; to repent of  my sins, Acts 17:30; to confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord, Rom. 10:8. 9; and to be baptized into the name of Jesus for the remission of my sins, Acts 2:38.  But my sense of obligation to the Lord must not cease after being baptized if I am to see the face of God in peace.  I must feel an obligation to understand God’s will as it pertains to the life of the Christian. This requires constant and continuous study on my part to learn what God would have me to be and to do.

But just feeling an obligation to learn God’s will is not enough. I must have a sense of obligation to conform to that knowledge in all things.  Paul wrote to the Romans saying, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.  And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1, 2).  Such proof is seen in my obedience to the word of God.  There is only one individual that I have any control over – ME.  May God help ME to accept my obligations to the Lord today, tomorrow and forever more. 

                                                                                               -- Clark Dugger

The Proclaimer