Week Eighteen: Freedom vs Obligation. April 30 – Obligation as Works Righteousness

Gregg’s Reflection

I lived the first 50 years of my life in a worldview of Obligation, in the world of should, have to, need to, ought to. When Robert Fritz helped me see the lie this worldview emerged from, moving into freedom felt like the first time I felt forgiveness. Wade into a life of freedom with us.

I didn’t realize how deeply I had been living in a worldview of obligation until my first workshop with Robert Fritz. In that moment, I could see the decades I had spent trying to prove myself—not just to my family or my peers, but to God Himself. Even as a Lutheran who believed in grace, my inner operating system was still driven by the question: Have I done enough to make God smile?

The problem with obligation is that it isn’t rooted in choice—it’s rooted in fear. When “should” is in charge, the freedom to say no evaporates. I can honor chosen commitments, like my vows to Genie or my covenant in the church, but the kind of subconscious obligation I’m talking about robs the heart of joy and the soul of peace.

God doesn’t want us to live under the lash of obligation. The gospel is an invitation to live in love, to walk in the Spirit, to move from proving to abiding. And it all begins with realizing you are already loved before you lift a finger.

Scripture

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8

Ancient Quotes

In doing what we ought we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.

Augustine of Hippo (Notice the obligation words in this quote: ought & duty. Much of the church today operates with a worldview of obligation.)

We must strip ourselves naked and cultivate detachment from things of the world… harbor no illusions about the beloved being under some obligation to repay you for your sacrifice with divine favors.

Teresa of Ávila, Interior Castle, p. 73 (Teresa shatters the illusion of God being obligated to respond to our attempts to be ‘good.’)

Modern Quotes

If the primary flavor of your religion is fear, it is mainly a series of obligations and religious duties.

Richard Rohr, On the Threshold of Transformation, p. 349

Shoulding yourself is a cognitive distortion… these kinds of ‘should’ statements can add a sense of obligation or shame to the equation.

Jillian Wilson, Huffington Post, 9/27/24

When you are pursuing a result because you feel you should, you are operating out of obligation rather than true choice.

Robert Fritz, Creating

Journaling Prompts

• Where in your spiritual life does “should” still have power over you?
  
  
• How can you begin to replace obligation with chosen love?
  
  
• What would it look like to live today without trying to prove yourself to God?

👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 18 Reflections: Freedom vs Obligation