Spiritual Teachings/Twin Duties of Man
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4. Twin Duties of Man
Man’s first duty is to recognize the Manifestation of God for the day in which he lives. The Manifestation for this age is Baha’u’llah. 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 Baha’u’llah without also want- ing 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 Baha’u’llah’s laws with- out first loving Him. How could one wholeheartedly and joy- fully obey someone without loving and respecting him?
Baha’u’llah 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.’’> 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. Baha’u’llah says ‘‘Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.’’ ® 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 knowl-
edge and love grow.