Fulfilling Our Duty

November 15

(Acts 22:30 NIV) “The next day, since the commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.”

(Acts 23:1 NIV) ““Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.””

(Romans 15:15-17 NIV) “I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me {16} to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. {17} Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.”

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV) “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. {14} For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

On what could have easily been the last day of his life, Paul looked the religious stuffed shirts of his day in the eye, and told them his conscience was clear. He had fulfilled his priestly duty to God. He had been called by God to proclaim the gospel and that’s what he was doing. He had answered God’s call with zeal and would make no apologies for it. Could you say that today? Could you look a hostile crowd (or any crowd) in the eye and say, “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience.”? Could you look Jesus in the eye and say that? If not, why not? What is holding you back? What is preventing you from fulfilling your duty to God? Maybe it’s time to clean house. Perhaps serving Jesus should become a higher priority on your schedule. He certainly didn’t die on the cross to play second fiddle. Fulfill your duty to the Lord. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day