Seven “Oughts” For Christians

THE “OUGHT” OF LOVE

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11). Is this not true, that God loved us to such an extent that He sent His Son, His only Son, down to this earth to die for us who are not worthy? But love, His love, made Him do it. “Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). We are His friends, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). He gives us a new commandment, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have love you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).

THE “OUGHT” OF PRAYER

“And he spake … that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). The prayerful life is a victorious life. Jesus commanded the disciples while He was in the garden to “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). The fainting Christian is the prayerless Christian. There is a saying, “The devil trembles when he sees the weakest saint on his knees.” This shows that the devil cannot get hold of a Christian who lives a real prayer-filled life. Great things have been wrought by Christians who have lived real prayerful lives. If one’s mind and heart are not prayerful, that is when the enemy gets his chance at him, and what damage has been wrought in cases like that!

THE “OUGHT” OF OBEDIENCE

“… We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). These words were spoken by the apostles when they were before the high priest. We believe the apostles had holy boldness when they uttered these words before the counsel. These apostles had been commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. They answered, “… Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye” (Acts 4:19). Samuel told Saul, when he did not obey God but listened to the people and did as he pleased, that “… to obey is better than sacrifice … ” (1 Samuel 15:22). Saul lost his kingship. Those who listen to God and obey Him will be mightily used of Him.

THE “OUGHT” OF PATIENCE

“We than that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). It may seem hard sometimes to bear with those who are weak. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 ). It may take these things to teach one patience. Paul became ” … all things to all men, .. ” (1 Corinthians 9:22) that he might win some to Christ. If a Christian becomes impatient with a weaker one and cannot bear with him in all things, he will not win him to Christ. “In your patience possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19).

THE “OUGHT” OF SACRIFICE

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16). This takes love – not natural love, but spiritual love. In these days, it seems hard for some to sacrifice for others. Perhaps a few minutes of our time would be the means of cheering someone that is down and out, and perhaps even be the means of bringing him to Christ. It may mean to give up getting something you wanted so badly. True happiness is found in sacrificing for others. Our Lord sacrificed for us. He gave His very life. He died in such a shameful way, that we might share with Him eternal life.

THE “OUGHT” OF GIVING

“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). By these words we can fully understand why God gave His only Son to save a dying world, and why Jesus was willing to obey His Father. You and I cannot give in this way perhaps, but we can be willing to give the little things, such as time and money. It says, “… ought to support the weak …” This does not mean physically weak, but to bear with those who are weak spiritually. Give up your reputation and dignity and become like them. Paul said, “To the weak became I as weak, that  I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1Corinthians 9:22).

THE “OUGHT” OF FORGIVING

“So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (2 Corinthians 2:7). Here we are told that we ought to forgive. Ifsomeone has wronged you, you ought to forgive him; if not, your Father in Heaven cannot forgive you. In the sermon on the mount, we read, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). Look at the treatment that Jesus received. He was innocent, yet when He hung on that cruel cross, He could look to His Father and say, “… Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do … “(Luke 23 :34).

The Gospel Standard