There is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. (Ecclesiastes 8:6. ESV.) The Lord's thoughts and ways are not that of man. His word does not return empty, but accomplishes His purpose. (Isaiah 55:8, 10-11. ESV.) For His glory.

This blog is for encouragement not teaching or leadership (1 Timothy 2:12-15).

Friday, June 11, 2010

Do We Obey Out of Love, or Out of Duty?

It is not quite right to say "We obey out of love for Christ . . . and not out of duty." Duty and love are not incompatible motives. A father provides for his children because he loves them. Yet it is also his legal and moral duty to do so. The fact that a man loves his children does not lessen his duty to them. The more he loves them, the more he will see the duty as a joy and not a drudgery. But even when the duty is a delight, it should not diminish the father's solemn sense of duty.