Duty

The definition of the word duty is very explicit. It means a task we must perform, actions required from a person. God’s Word teaches that there are certain duties we are required to perform. Briefly, we will consider, first what some of these duties are, secondly, that these duties need not be a burden; and thirdly, that we cannot excuse ourselves from performing these duties.

Duty in natural life develops gradually. A child should be given certain duties already at a young age. These duties should begin with very simple tasks which can be performed in a short time. In this way, by performing regular duties, a child learns responsibility at a young age. The duty of children to obey parents and all who are placed in authority is contained in the 5th commandment which demands of us to “Honor thy father and mother.” Here father and mother refers to our natural parents, but also to all those placed in authority over us. (See Lord’s Day 39 of the Heidelberg Catechism.) That honor is required not only of the young but of all of us throughout our entire life.

Duty calls us to let our voices be heard in civil life. We are required to use the talents, given to us by God, to fight against the evils of our time. The first and most important duty in this regard, is that of prayer. All other efforts which are required of us will be of no benefit without God’s blessing. We may still have the privilege to live in a nation where we have the freedom to express our convictions as individuals and also as congregations. A greater duty lies upon office-bearers because they are in a place of leadership.

Finally, it is our duty to keep all God’s commandments. This is summed up in “loving God above all and our neighbor as ourself.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 speaks to us, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” In the original text the word duty is not included: God requires our whole man. All our time, strength, mind, heart, and whole life. By reason of creation in the image of God, God demands our whole person without exception.

Secondly, duties need not be a burden. The service of sin, Satan, and the world is a service of slavery and ends in disappointmentand eternal destruction. Satan is a liar from the beginning. He said to Eve, “Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

The service of the Lord gives rest, peace, and joy, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my God, than to dweil in the tents of wickedness” (Ps. 84:10). Moses, by the grace of God, left the palace of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25). The Lord will bless those who keep his commandments. God’s Word confirms this in the family of the Rechabites; read the thirty-fifth chapter of Jeremiah.

Thirdly, there are two reasons why we have no excuse for not performing duties. We were created in the image of God, able and willing to serve and glorify our Creator, but we and all mankind have voluntarily fallen from God and have brought ourselves into a totally depraved state. Our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked. We are unable, but also unwilling, to keep God’s commandments. But this does not remove the demand laid upon us by reason of our being created in God’s image.

A second reason why we cannot excuse ourselves is this: Though man has fallen into a state of death, God has not totally given him over unto himself. All men are born with the voice of conscience within them. The glimmerings of natural light are referred to in the Canons of Dort, Head 3/4 Article 4. This light is not sufficient to bring a man to a saving knowledge of God but does leave him without any excuse.

It is only through the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit that man can be brought back into a state wherein he may receive a small beginning of fulfilling the duty required by God. God, in his infinite mercy, has prepared and revealed a way through the sending of His only-begotten Son whereby lost children of Adam may again be brought back into a state wherein a true desire is planted in their heart to serve and glorify their Creator.

God requires our whole man.

Henry Kamp serves as elder of the First Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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