Dec

Tuesday Town Hall 9…Duty, Do We?

Posted by: Sonny in America, Responsibility, Townhall Tuesday

Okay. It is December. It is probably the busiest month of the year. The month when most people try to see family, shop for gifts, throw and attend party after party, decorate the yard, the house and the tree, and so on and so on. It is an exhausting month of celebration but not often celebration of who it is supposed to be about.

Please don’t forget Christ as you go about the hustle and bustle of this season.

But it is Tuesday so I hope you can spend a few minutes here also. I have held this topic for a few weeks because it has, I believe, the potential to get controversial. But then again, I’ve thought that before and was wrong.

I was reading some comments on the internet a few weeks ago and someone made the following statement.

But I am an American. I am a Christian. I have a duty to God and Country.

They went on to expand on this to say what they had to about the topic at hand, which I can’t remember, but I could not forget it so I saved it. I am referring just to the statement above that is in bold text. It bothers me on some level.

What do you think about the statement?

Do you believe it is a truthful statement?

What is this idea of duty and do I have a duty to these two entities?

Do I have a duty to anything or anyone else?

What do you think?

Love you all.

Tags: America, Believe, celebration, Christ, December, God, Hope, Lie, Love, season, town hall, Truth

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 1:03 am and is filed under America, Responsibility, Townhall Tuesday. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 comments so far

Hin-Tai

The Bible tells us that we are strangers, aliens to this world (1 Peter 2:11); our citizenship belongs entirely to the Kingdom of Heaven (Philippians 3:20). We are not of this world. Nor can we serve two masters (Matthew 6:24); we have the duty to serve only one of them.

This duty to the Kingdom of Heaven conflates with a duty to things of this world; for example, Romans 13 teaches us to submit to our ruling authorities. In that sense, Americans _do_ have a duty to America – but only insofar as duties to America don’t conflict with duties to the Kingdom of God. Our duties to our worldly nations stem entirely from our duty to God’s Kingdom, which is unequivocally foremost.

Likewise, we have a duty to love our brothers, to love our neighbours, to love our enemies, to care for widows and orphans – but fundamentally, these stem from our basic duty to the Kingdom of Heaven. The ruler of the Kingdom of Heaven is our supreme guide.

December 9th, 2008 at 8:30 am

Laura

I do not agree with this statement. If you look at the definition of Duty this is what it says.
1. something that one is expected or required to do by moral or legal obligation.
2. the binding or obligatory force of something that is morally or legally right; moral or legal obligation.
3. an action or task required by a person’s position or occupation; function: the duties of a clergyman.

I do not serve God out of duty I serve Him because I love him. It should be a desire and not duty to live for Christ and to love people and to care for people. I have seen that most people become resentfull when doing things out of Duty. Serving God should be second nature and not something that we fill we have to do out of duty to Him. I do agree that we are strangers in this world and our actions and lives should reflect this, but not out of duty but out of Love.

December 9th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

Connie

“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 (KJV)

“Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king”. 1 Samuel 12:24-25 (KJV)

I feel that if we are “true” Christians, that we have no other choice but to serve the Lord. That is our purpose as Christians…. to keep His commandments, fear Him, and carry His message. Note the aforementioned verses .

I am also an American. I love my country and feel blessed to live here. However I do not feel it is my duty to serve the authorities of this country as our present and upcoming “leader/authority” does not keep the commandments set forth by God. I live in America because I choose to, not because it is my duty to. If I conform to the laws and standards set forth by the leaders of this country, (laws on abortion, the death sentence, taking God out of schools, etc. ….God’s laws), I will be consumed right along with them….. also mentioned in the verses above.

I still have to stop at red lights and not park in the handicap spaces, and obey any law that does not demean the laws set forth by God in the 10 Commandments.

Just my opion. Everybody has one.

Peace, Love and Blessings to all.
Connie

P.S. Merry Christmas

December 9th, 2008 at 4:45 pm

Dee Mimbs

I agree with much of what has been said thus far. Before I am anything else, I am a Christian. Thus, my priority is to serve Christ — I pledge allegiance to the lamb! However, as Laura said, I do not do this out of duty but out of love.

As far as a duty to this country, I do not agree with that statement. I serve Christ first, and that often will interfere with my “duty” to America. You cannot pledge allegiance to two entities, especially when the goals of those two do not coincide.

However, I do agree that Christ teaches to obey authority as long as it does not violate a principle found in the Bible. Thus, I pay taxes, etc. But, my allegiance is to God not country.

Blessings,

Dee

December 9th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

JOHN

based on lauras definition of duty i agree with the statement. I love God but some of the things I do are out of duty. When i obey or follow his leading even though I dont understand or agree then I am opperating out of both duty and love. Sorry Sonny but this one dosent seem all that controvercial so far. Perhaps it you who will take us into the controversy when you issue your opinion! love you

December 9th, 2008 at 6:52 pm

Beth Bryson

* What do you think about the statement?

I think it sounds like something a politician would say to make nicey nicey with people…

* Do you believe it is a truthful statement?

not all of it

* What is this idea of duty and do I have a duty to these two entities?
Like previous posters said we serve God out of love, not duty. But as John also pointed out sometimes in our walk we let ourselves be motivated by a “sense” of duty rather than love. We all know we are guilty of grudgingly following the rules….Which kinda makes it seem like a duty to God. Like “I do what is right because I know its what a christian should do” which gives being a christian a job like quality. That being said it kinda sounds like a pastor or other minister does have a duty to God, doesnt it??? Do we as christians then take on the responsibility to keep his commandments and do His will? If we are not duty bound to keep his commandments as chirstians then what is to say that we will keep his commandments, we wont make very good witnesses that way. The more I think about it and the definition of duty and the first verse Connie mentioned maybe once we call ourselves a christian we do have a duty in as much as, we should be bound by our decision to do the things of God. We have free will so God does not require/force our service to him. I think we unknowlingly force a sense of duty on ourselves being a christian means being thus and so, we feel morally/spiritually obligated to be this certain kind of servant. In our minds being a christian means we are obligated to behave a certain way in our service to Christ. If duty is when you “feel” morally obligated to do something or are expected to do something then Yes I guess I do feel I have a duty to God, but only because I have claimed to be a christian a child of God. A sinner would not feel this obligation or duty. I have free will and I have chosen by my confession to obligate myself to God to follow only his commandments and no other.

As far as our Country, no I dont have a duty to our country, if I felt I did I would have signed up for the military or some other form of government work (FBI etc.). If I were in the military then I would feel as if I had a duty to my country. But that is the basis of the definition, right? I would have an obligation, it would be my occupation….

* Do I have a duty to anything or anyone else?
I suppose in light of the previous info I could or should feel morally obligated to my husband and children etc, but like Hin-Tai the way I feel about my obligations to them stem from how I feel about being a christian as well. Not every person feels morally obligated to his family. But I do because of what I believe is morally right.

I hope I explained myself well. I would really like a bigger comment box *hint hint*…
I dont like to just type things out without knowing what i want to say first. I may have to add a comment to edit something I said… If so Im Sorry

December 9th, 2008 at 10:42 pm

Justin A

Definition of duty: conduct based on moral or legal obligation, or a sense of propriety

Being an American is being a legal citizen as defined by the law. Don’t see a problem there.

Being a Christian is being saved. No problem.

In reading the uses of duty in the Bible it seems to be something that we ought to do based on our position as husband, priest, etc. That is, a duty is something we ought to do.

Based on these definitions it seems it would be our duty as Christians to serve God. If we are enjoying the benefits of a nation of laws it would be our duty to support that nation. Duty does not mean blind obedience. Duty would include working to make the laws more compatible with Biblical principles including helping the less fortunate, fair tax system, etc.

It would be our duty to obey the law, by definition. There could come a time when God’s law contradicts a Nation’s laws. We still have a duty to obey the law but we have to pick which one to obey. A Christian should pick God’s law over man’s law.

It seems like we could have several duties based on the definition I read. It doesn’t seem very controversial unless you have a different definition of duty. I suppose you will have to point out which part bothers you.

December 9th, 2008 at 11:29 pm

Sonny

Thanks Beth for the suggestion. But this comment box is as big as it gets.

Love you

December 10th, 2008 at 12:47 am

Heath

I agree with the statement.

December 10th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Heath

Beth… try typing out your comment in Word and then copy and pasting… This helps me with spell check when I am sending bigger responses.

December 10th, 2008 at 1:45 pm

Chris

First off, sorry to be away so long, but I had many “duties/obligations” to take care of.

Duty – an act or expression of respect

There are many definitions people have used, but I kinda like this one.

It is great to respect God an his laws, it is also okay to respect the laws and this country.

Does that mean blind loyalty?

The answer is actually no to both. God does not want blind following/lyalty or else free will and knowledge would be useless.

In the U.S. we can effect change by voting for the right people, or taking an issue to court. Maybe this way is not as efficient, but blind faith is still not required.

Duty seems to be a nice little term that says I want to serve God and my country. What is wrong with that? Wanting to be a good citizen, and having respect for your country is fine.

God wants your loyalty, but he will not force it. The U.S. may try to force it but can’t. Therefore it is up to each one of us to determine how loyal or how much duty we feel toward anything.

December 10th, 2008 at 10:23 pm

Sonny

Just wanted you all to know I am reading all of your comments. I appreciate you all and wanted to just let you know that I am sick and that is why my viewpoint might be delayed.

This cold or flu I have is about as bad as I’ve had. Made me miss teaching my class on Wednesday for the first time since I began about four years ago. I really hate that.

Been checking in and still getting the forum going in between coughing and sneezing fits.

Love you all

December 11th, 2008 at 1:44 am

Tammy

I believe it is a correct statement, just in the wrong order…
I am a Christian and I am an American.
I am a Christian by Choice and Rebirth, and an American by birth and choice.
If we believe that it is the duty of our president to live with standards above a common man, which means it is a requirement of his position to rise above, then why would we be different?
I believe we are expected and/or obligated to do what is moral in the eyes of God and the law.
The joy comes in knowing that we do it out of love and a desire to have a closer relationship with Him, not as an obligation only.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:1-2

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
Titus 3: 1-2

Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to the governors, as to those who are sent by Him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of those who do good.
1 Peter 2:13-14

December 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm