David’s instructions to his son during the transfer of authority and throne. “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] you will find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”
Do we recognize our need for Him?
Seeking the Lord first and as a vital necessity is the key here. Not out of duty, but as a vital necessity. This idea is repeated through out the bible. The Lord’s prayer starts with this idea. Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Hallowed means to be separated and lifted up in our hearts and minds. Lifted up and separated high and above all other names!
We need to seek Him because we love Him and love what He has done for us. Not out of duty, but because we love Him and want to connect with Him. Duty free is the key.
1 Chronicles 29:9 is an example of duty free activity. Then the people rejoiced because these had given willingly, for with a whole and blameless heart they had offered freely to the Lord. King David also rejoiced greatly.
Psalms 1:2 is also an example of duty free activity. But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
We are directed towards duty free activity in John 14:15. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
In other words, are we trying to keep God’s (Jesus’) commandments out of duty because we have to? Or, are we keeping His commandments because we love Him? Do we serve because some pastor has directed us to do so and we want to fit into the group or congregation? Or do we serve because we love Jesus? Do we serve because we love what He has done for us? Do we serve because we love people? As Christians, we must mature into duty free activity in order to be effective in our ministries.
