Duty

Some believe in this life we have two basic duties; The first duty is between man and God; The second is to our fellow man according to the word of God.

'To seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his way of righteousness' is clearly an Old and New Testament directive. To be righteous is defined "acting in accord with divine or moral law " and in the Greek text it means "in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God."

While some may have a problem with the word "duty" the truth is the word "ought" is the auxiliary verb "used to express duty or moral obligation."

If duty is defined today as "a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility."

Several question naturally arise:

• Do we as Christians have the moral obligation or responsibility to be righteous?
• What is righteous and what is not righteous?
• Has God given us the scriptures to help us measure the difference between the two conditions of unrighteous and righteous?
• Can we honestly say we love the Lord we accept and indulge by policy unrighteous behavior?

If our deeds are unrighteous then Christ does not actually abide in us. The English word “duty” only appears a few times in the New Testament but the same Greek word is also translated “ought” which appears many times. And as I said “ought" is simply the auxiliary verb "used to express duty or moral obligation."

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Some will try to wiggle out of this clear directive of the doctrines of Jesus but Christ was taking the kingdom from them and going to give it to those who would do what they "ought" to do, obviously out of love for Christ. Those deeds of righteousness must be pursued in Spirit and in truth. Our real duties to God are the same today as they were yesterday because God is the same.

Many modern blind guides have fallen for the sophistry of the Pharisees who got it wrong and did not hear or sea what Christ was telling them. They did not understand the altars of God nor the righteousness of The Way.

Jesus use the same word in Matthew 23:23 in John 4:24 but it is translated "must" instead of "ought".

John 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

We even see Peter and the [other] apostles use the same word translated "ought" in their instructions to obey God.

• Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

And the instructions to care for those in need they use the same word related to duty:

• Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

There is another word translated ought meaning owed or be bound which Jesus uses.

• John 13:14 If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

And Paul and others continue to use the same word in the Epistles.

• Romans 15:1 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

1 Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must(/ought) ye needs go out of the world.

This world you will need to go out of and not fornicate with is the same world that is not suppose to "spot" your caring for the widows and orphans though Pure Religion.

The same word is also translated due speaking of a duty of a husband to his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

Which we see again expressing the duty of the husband to love their wives.

• Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

And again we are told we have a duty owed to thank God in Thessalonians.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

And if you say you believe then you have a duty to walk as he did or you take his name in vain.

• 1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

And if God loved us we have a duty to love others must as if we are to be forgiven we must forgive others.

• 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

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Directives of Christ

Appendix 2. from the Book Thy Kingdom Comes

Appendix 2. The things He says

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Lu 6:46

AUTHORITY

Matthew 20:25-27 “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:”

Mark 10:42 But “Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.”

Luke 22:25 “And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”

COMMANDMENTS

Matthew 19:17-20 “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Matthew 22:40 “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Mark 7:9 “And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 10:19 “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.”

Luke 18:20 “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.”

John 14:15-14 “If ye love me, keep my commandments. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” Jn 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

1 John 5:2 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.” 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 2 John 1:6 “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”

CONSENT

Matthew 5:25 “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Matthew 18:19 “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”

DOETH

Mtt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mtt 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Mtt 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: Mtt 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Mtt 12:50 “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”[Mtt 6:2, 3; 8:9; 21:28-31; 18:23-35; 19:16-21; 20:1-28, 25-29; 21:28-31, 43; 22:29-33; 23:1-33; 24:46-51; 25:14-46, 26:13, 42, Mark 3:35]

Luke 6:31 “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:46, 49 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

John 3:20,21 “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 5:20 “For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.” John 9:31 “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”

John 13:15 “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

Ephesians 6:8 “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”

Colossians 3:25 “But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done... no respect of persons.”

James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.”

1 Peter 1:14 “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”

1 Peter 1:17 “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:”

1 John 2:17 “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:29 “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” 1 John 3:7 “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 3 John 1:11 “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”

Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Titus 2:14 “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” Hebrews 10:36 “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

James 2:22 “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?”

Revelation 20:12, 13 “... another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”

FAITH

Luke 7:50 “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

Matthew 8:10 “When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Matthew 9:22 “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

FEED

John 21:16 “He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:17 “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

FOLLOW

John 12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.”

FORGIVE

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mt 18:35 “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Mk 11:25-26 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” Luke 11:4 “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”

HEAL

Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

JUDGEMENT

Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”

John 7:24 “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

LOOKING BACK

Luke 9:62 “...No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

LOVE

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 15:12-14 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:17 “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

ONE GOD

Mr 12:29 “... The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:”

PREACH

Mt 10:7-14 “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.”

Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Luke 9:60 “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”

PURSE and PROTECTION

Luke 22:36 “Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”

SAVED

Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

Matthew 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Mk 13:13 “... but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Luke 13:23, 24 “... Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

John 14:12 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 3:17 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 5:34 “But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.”

SEEK
Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

SELL
Matthew 19:21 “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.”

Mark 10:21 “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

Luke 12:33-34 “Sell that ye have,¹ and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Lk 14:33 “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath,[huparchonta ]he cannot be my disciple.”

Lk 18:22 “Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.”

SWEAR
Matthew 5:34-37 “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”

TEACH

MT 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Mr 6:2 “And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?”

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Mr 7:7-11 “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, ... Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. “

WARNED
Matthew 10:16-20 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”

Footnote for directive of Christ

15224 huparchonta; v participle AV-goods 7, that (one) has 4, things which (one) possesses 2, substance 1; 14 1) possessions, goods, wealth, property

Definitions of the word Duty

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

DUTY, noun

1. That which a person owes to another; that which a person is bound, by any natural, moral or legal obligation, to pay, do or perform. Obedience to princes, magistrates and the laws is the duty of every citizen and subject; obedience, respect and kindness to parents are duties of children; fidelity to friends is a duty; reverence, obedience and prayer to God are indispensable duties; the government and religious instruction of children are duties of parents which they cannot neglect without guilt.

2. Forbearance of that which is forbid by morality, law, justice or propriety. It is our duty to refrain from lewdness, intemperance, profaneness and injustice.

3. Obedience; submission.

4. Act of reverence or respect.

They both did duty to their lady.

5. The business of a soldier or marine on guard; as, the company is on duty It is applied also to other services or labor.

6. The business of war; military service; as, the regiment did duty in Flanders.

7. Tax, toll, impost, or customs; excise; any sum of money required by government to be paid on the importation, exportation, or consumption of goods. An impost on land or other real estate, and on the stock of farmers, is not called a duty but a direct tax.