January 5

Written by Bill Grandi on January 5th, 2021

Let me ask you a question-one I’ve asked myself seemingly a million times:

Is your service to God out of love or out of obligation?

Be careful how you answer that. The way we answer that is very telling concerning our way of looking at God. Please let me explain. When you and I come into God’s Presence, there are various ways to respond. Some will be terrified. I do have to wonder about the reaction of those who, while here on earth denied His existence; denied His Power; denied His Creative ability, etc. only to find out at their death all they held to was ashes. Some will be frozen in wonder and awe at the majesty before them. Some will-like the apostles- not recognize Him until after He left. I’m not just thinking of standing before Him at the throne but also while here on earth.

As a former legalist, my whole life was wrapped around performance. Not so much being enraptured by His Presence, but being convinced that I had to perform. My service to Him was out of obligation more than it was out of love. Oh, I told myself it was love, but it wasn’t really. Love has no fear and for the legalist fear is a major player. I can’t escape the duplicity of my thinking: “Jesus loves me this I know if my performance tells me so.” Many religious groups (not just cults) base their modus operandi on performance. Act a certain way. Dress a certain way. Go to church so many times. If not, shame on you!

So, let me ask you again: Is your service to God out of love or obligation? If you sit under a legalist, get out now while you still have your soul.

“Father, it is easy to see my prayer this morning. May my service to you be out of love for you and not the feeling of obligation or judgment.”

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan says:

    My prayer as well Bill, out of love, not out of obligation or judgment!

  2. Ed says:

    Been there and done that.
    Although it wasn’t coming from me, I was in a relationship where my service to God was questioned as whether it was “out of love or obligation”.. actually come to think about it.. I was questioned for the entire relationship whether I HAD “any love or obligation” towards God.
    It was in the form of the very words of Jesus: “Peter, do you love me?”
    As Peter replied, so did I “Yes Lord, you know I love you!”
    Anyways to me obligation means “pressured to do it”.. simply broken down “pressured to do it” means that we do something.. but not out of love.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      That is a very accurate description of an obligation Ed. Pressured. We should serve with and out of freedom not because we are pressured to do so. Thanks for the comment.

  3. Everything we give to God must be done in love, or it is worthless. I’m reminded of Paul’s exhortation that we can do many things, but if we are lacking love, nothing we do will prosper.
    Blessings, Bill!