Does God only accept willing service?
Question:
Is doing something you don't want to do, but you're only doing it for God counted as valid for Him? Or not doing something you'd like to do because of God, is it valid?
I mean, what if He doesn't accept us doing something that we're not "willing" to?
Answer:
"But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him" (Matthew 21:28-32).
When a person does what God asks, not because he wants to do it but because God asks it of him, what does that tell you about the person? It tells me that he loves God more than he loves himself. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (I John 5:3).
Still, there is merit in a desire to put God first in your life. "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind" (Luke 10:27). Without love for God and a desire to please Him, you won't remain obedient to Him.
