Entitlements and Obligations

Entitlements and Obligations

4 But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law, 5 so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons [as God’s children with all rights as fully grown members of a family]. 6 And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave (bond-servant), but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through [the gracious act of] God [through Christ]." (Galatians 4:4-7, AMP)

In Christendom today, many people are always thinking of their entitlements and as a result are trapped in the web of self-gain and self-aggrandisement. It is true that as children of God (true believers) we have privileges and gifts but it is important to understand that we also have obligations. God expects us to play our God-given role in His Kingdom by His grace and power of the Holy Spirit. 

Believers have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:13, Hebrews 10:19, Revelation 12:11). If you are a born-again Christian, a believer in Jesus, you have been set free from the bondage of sin , the law, the devil and death. You are free and free indeed - "Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:34-36, NKJV).

Before the incarnation of Jesus, man was held captive by sin as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God, eating the forbidden fruit and were thrown out of the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-23). Consequently, they lost the intimate fellowship with God they had experienced. Let's ponder over this for a moment. Until they disobeyed God and sinned, Adam and Eve were perfect, sinless and holy. The Bible makes us understand that God would come down to the garden of Eden and have fellowship with them. The Bible says, "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8). Wow, they heard the sound of God walking, meaning that there is a sound of God's presence, a sound only true believers can hear. Have you heard the sound of the Holy Spirit today? Have you heard the voice of God telling you where to go? Have you received a revelation from the Lord with regards to His plans and purposes for your life on earth? God desires to have a thriving, intimate relationship with His children and all mankind. He desires that all men should be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Sin brought in bondage to it and to the devil. Glory be to God that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day. The Bible says, "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:10 )

The death of Jesus ushered in the possibility of reconciliation to God as opposed to alienation from Him. 

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14 ). The born-again believer is forgiven and redeemed from darkness and sin. 

The believer is no longer a slave to sin and the devil but is now a child (son or daughter) of God. The Bible says in John 1:12, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:" . The one who receives Jesus as Lord and Saviour gladly surrenders all to Him, abides in Him and says every moment of the day, 'Lord, let Your will be done in my life'. Is that your prayer? God cares for His children and has given them all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:2-4). He has not left us destitute and we can rest assured He will supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). 

What should be our response? "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:" (2 Peter 1:1)

"Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1)

It is important to state that the true believer obeys God, seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), offers his or her body as a living sacrifice to God, not conformed to the world but being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1-2). As those who have been redeemed, our ultimate desire should be that God's will be done in all situations. Apostles Paul and Peter knew that and pronounced that they were bondservants of Jesus. In other words, they voluntarily surrendered themselves and everything they possessed to Jesus. Furthermore, they declared their intention not to hold anything back from Jesus. They agreed that it was not their call to make as far as life was concerned; they were under the rule and reign of the Almighty God and their obligation was fear Him and obey His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). They never had a mindset that demanded this and that, rather they trusted God to direct their paths because they had absolute confidence in His judgement. Do you trust God enough to let go of everything and let Him handle your affairs? God can have a valuable input into your decision-making process if you permit Him to do so.

God will never impose Himself on anyone and He has given people the freewill to even choose to oppose and disobey Him. God has you covered and rather than demand for this or that, let God direct you. Ask for strength to fulfil your God-given obligations for which He has equipped you (2 Peter 1:3-4). Instead of having undue expectations, we should be focusing on our obligations towards God and man. Remember, you are not an accident; you have been created specifically by God for a purpose only you can fulfil.  "For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]." (Ephesians 2:10, AMP)

You are obligated to be a fully active participant in God's plan to enable you to fulfil the good works He prepared for you before the world began. Have you discovered those works yet? If not, why not? I charge you this day in the mighty Name of Jesus to arise and find your place - your lane and walk on it to the best of your ability, diligently seeking the Lord God Almighty every step of the way. One of my pastors and mentors, Bishop James Lawson who went to be with the Lord in 2019 used to say that we should walk in our lane not another person's lane. Do you know your lane or are you yo-yoing (going back and forth, up and down)? 

Jesus said in John 15, "I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for[otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." (v.5, AMP). Jesus will guide us every step of the way, by the power of the Holy Spirit if we remain (abide) in Him. The key is remaining in Jesus. Then you will meet all your obligations and overcome the temptation to focus on perceived entitlements. In plain terms, we really are not entitled to anything. All we are and have is given to us by the grace of God. One might say he has worked hard and that is good but it is God who gives life and one day the final curtain will be drawn. Be rooted in Jesus and you will not be taken unawares. Have a blessed day.