Our Duty to Ourselves

Richard Thetford

In Galatians 6:4-5 the apostle Paul writes: “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. or each one shall bear his own load.” The greatest thing we can do for ourselves is to make sure that we are doing everything that we need to do to be pleasing to God. In order to do that, we must examine our own work, making sure that it is being done in accordance with God’s directions. Through the pages of the New Testament individuals are instructed on how to live their lives according to righteousness. One thing that gets many people in hot water is thinking “too highly of themselves”. Yet in Romans 12:3 we can read where it says: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” God’s Word says it, now we have to listen and obey. That is our Christian duty in this life. The Christian that reads the Bible and then practices those things that are contained therein, will gain respect from the brethren because they can see in that Christian that they are truly living their life in accordance with the Bible. But isn’t that every Christian’s responsibility? Sure it is. We are told in Jude 21 to keep ourselves in “God’s love”, and to remain “unspotted” (Jam 1:27). In 1 John 5:18 we are told to “keep ourselves from the evil one”. Other duties include “denying ourselves” (Matt 16:24), “controlling ourselves” (2 Pet 1:6), “humbling ourselves” (Matt 18:4; 23:12), and to “guard ourselves” (1 John 5:21). If we would read and understand what the Bible tells us to do in Galatians 6:4-5 then we will be able to “glorify God”. Are we doing our duty for God?