Our world has plunged into a terrible condition with untold amounts of misery and suffering because its inhabitants have not recognized nor performed their duties towards their fellow man. The words of Cain, “am I my brother’s keeper?” have been repeated millions of times. People say, “I am provided for, I have food and a place to live, and if others do not have all they need, it is not my concern.”
We hear in the news of people who are starving for lack of food, or dying for lack of medicine, and of children suffering for the lack of necessities. And the best that people often do is to wish that someone would take care of them.
We Christians have a sacred duty towards God, and towards our fellow man. Jesus clearly stated our duties towards them.
“When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me. Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not. Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee? Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:31–46
How many professing Christians will be lost in the end for neglecting to fulfil their God-given duties? Some of our duties are unpleasant; therefore, many do not want to fulfil them. These unpleasant duties are the cross that Jesus spoke about that we must carry. “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27
This means that we must deny our own pleasure and comfort, and faithfully carry our cross daily, and follow the footsteps of Jesus. We need to think and plan constantly how we can be more useful to God and to our fellow man.
Paul did this; he considered himself a debtor to others, and therefore he quit his work in the Jewish Council and started to preach the gospel. “I am debtor both to
the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” Romans 1:14–15
What was the compelling power in Paul that made him quit his highly paid job and start preaching the gospel voluntarily? And without wages? Was it not his love to God and love to his fellow man? “Faith which worketh by love.” Galatians 5:6
To do what was right was more important to Paul than what his fallen human nature wanted to do. He had a strong sense of duty, something that a selfish person does not have. He could have chosen to live peacefully in one place, visiting a local church. If we do not decide to follow the example of Paul, and fulfil our duty, what are we then? “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:10
Christ’s righteousness includes more than the 10 Commandments. It includes the second mile. To the rich young ruler Jesus said, “go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, . . . and come and follow Me.” Matthew 19:21
Zaccheus said, “The half of my goods I give to the poor.” “And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house.” Luke 19:8–9. He may have been religious all his life, but now salvation came to him, when he decided to fulfil his duty. We are not owners, but stewards, looking after the goods that belong to God.
Rebekah offered to do more than what she was asked to do. “And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder: and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee. And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.” Genesis 24:45
Moses offered to give up his salvation, and so did Paul. This was more than what the law demands. This was the second mile of what Jesus spoke about. Now the question comes, is it really necessary to go beyond the call of duty? Did Jesus really mean that we must go the second mile, is it necessary for our salvation? Unfortunately, many have difficulty already with the first mile.
Abigail took the guilt of her husband upon herself. Very few people are willing to do more than what the law demands, and the reason for this is selfishness.
How many of us have a clear understanding of our duty, as God’s people, as reformers? We are living in the day of judgment, just before the second coming of Christ.
To know our duty, where do we begin? “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39
“It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his example. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought and comparing scripture with scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions for ourselves as we are to answer for ourselves before God.” –The Great Controversy, p. 598
“None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.” –Ibid., p. 593
After learning the truth, the next duty is to obey it, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Isaiah 1:18–19
Many have memorized verse 18, but verse 19 tells us that in order to have our sins forgiven, we must be willing and obedient. Willing to sit down and reason with the Lord. And how strictly must we keep the law? “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
Along with the keeping of the Sabbath and the rest of the commandments, there is also another law that is included. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16–17
“Knowledge must be gained in regard to how to eat and drink and dress so as to preserve health. Sickness is caused by violating the laws of health; it is the result of violating nature’s law. Our first duty, one which we owe to God, to ourselves, and to our fellow men, is to obey the laws of God, which include the laws of health.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 164
Our body is a gift from God to us, and we need to take care of it.
Another duty is our prayer life. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. And, what do we need to pray for? Jesus said, “Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” Luke 22:46
We are tempted daily, constantly, and if we forget to pray, we can fall into sin. We can be provoked to anger, to be impatient, complaining, or bitter. “No man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer.” –The Great Controversy, p. 530
We need to pray for our family members, our church members, and for the interested souls. Jesus said, “Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
Another important duty is to keep our minds clean from wrong thoughts, from evil, sensual, revengeful, and vain thoughts. Paul writes to us, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Also, our duty is to attend church meetings. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
“Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into His sanctuary, which He hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you.” 2 Chronicles 30:8
“Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where prayer is wont to be made. Those who are really seeking communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain.” –Steps to Christ, p. 98
Our duty is also to forgive. Jesus said, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:12, 14
We must also be always cheerful and happy. The Bible tells us, “Rejoice evermore.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16. A sad Christian is not showing a good example of religion.
Then there is one unpleasant duty. “Preach the word; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2. But this must be done. People do not like to hear rebuking, and reproving, but their salvation depends on it.
Finally, another duty we must do, which is the Gospel commission. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19–20. This duty requires self-denial, it takes time, effort, and money, but if we neglect it, the blood of the souls will be on our garments, and we will not be innocent before God. “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully.” Jeremiah 48:10
Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron were careless and let the fire go out in the temple, and the anger of God was kindled against them when they brought in strange fire. “The path which He invites us to walk would never have cost us a pang had we always walked in it. It is when we stray from the path of duty that the way becomes difficult and thorny.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 558
The world needs faithful reformers who give the warning message to the people. God needs standard-bearers who will not turn back, but are willing to deny themselves, and answer to the call of duty by saying, “Here am I, send me;” and the Lord will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Amen.
Timo Martin