Spiritual Teachings/Twin Duties of Man
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old is like saying that because milk is the best food for babies adults too should have nothing but milk.
Out of His great love for man God has sent not one but many Messengers, Teachers, and Physicians to guide and comfort man as he grows to adulthood. Bahá’ís must show respect and appreciation for all the former Manifestations but must remember that only Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings have been given for the needs of this age.
4. Twin Duties of Man[edit]
Man’s first duty is to recognize the Manifestation of God for the day in which he lives. The Manifestation for this age is Bahá’u’lláh. Each person must learn to know and love Him. Fulfilling this duty draws one closer to God. The second duty of man is to obey the laws and commandments given by the Manifestation.
Both duties are important. Neither can be performed without the other. One cannot truly love Bahá’u’lláh without also wanting to obey His laws. How could one claim to love someone but continually go against his wishes and do that which displeases him? Also, one cannot sincerely obey Bahá’u’lláh’s laws without first loving Him. How could one wholeheartedly and joyfully obey someone without loving and respecting him?
Bahá’u’lláh says that His laws are not merely rules to limit man. Instead He calls them “the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures.” 5 By obeying these laws man can enjoy the true freedom which comes from submission to God.
It is not enough for man simply to obey the laws of God. One must obey with a joyful, loving heart, not out of fear or as an attempt to “earn” eternal life. Bahá’u’lláh says “Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.” 6 When one obeys out of love, his obedience demonstrates his trust in God and his desire to please his Beloved.
Since the duties of knowing and loving God and of obeying His commandments are inseparable, fulfilling one duty helps
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man fulfill the other. For example, the more one learns to know and love God, the more he wants to obey the commandment to pray daily. The more regularly one prays, the more his knowledge and love grow.
5. Independent Investigation of Truth[edit]
In the past, faith was often blind and unquestioning. People believed in something because their family, friends, or religious leaders believed. They did not think and pray and investigate truth for themselves. This type of faith is no longer acceptable. Bahá’u’lláh teaches that each person must investigate truth for himself and come to his own conclusions without relying on someone else's thinking. Faith in this day must be built on knowledge and must be one's own decision.
Investigating truth takes much effort and courage, but God has given each person the capacity to recognize truth. Detachment also helps man in his search. Bahá’u’lláh advises the seeker to put aside all love and hate he feels toward the things of the world, for that love may pull him toward error and that hate may drive him away from the truth. Sometimes love makes one do things he knows are not right, and one's feelings may keep him from hearing the truth when it comes from someone he does not like. Detachment tears away some of the veils which blind man to the truth.
While Bahá’u’lláh requires man to investigate truth for himself, He has left man more guidance to help him in his search than has ever been given by a Manifestation. In addition to leaving hundreds of books and Tablets, Bahá’u’lláh appointed