Obedience

Obedience is a word often heard in Christian circles today. There is no doubt that obedience is important in the life of a Christian. However, there is nothing as sterile as obedience marked by legalism rather than grace. This kind of obedience is self-serving and inspires self-righteousness rather than dependence.  Obedience characterized by grace is Christ-centered; it is creative yet does not keep a record of its own achievements. It is motivated by love and sees the need of the recipient.

Through our faith in Jesus Christ we receive God’s grace. If we try to find justification in a legalistic adherence to our faith, a holier-than-thou view of ourselves, or anything we have done on our own, we will fall short. The apostle Paul reminds us of this when he writes “You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.” Galatians 4:4-5

Grace is a gift ; it cannot be purchased. We do not earn I;, it is not sold. It cannot be bartered for; it is a gift of God. Because grace is a gift, our obedience is motivated out of our love of Christ and our understanding of grace as set forth in the Scriptures.

God’s grace does not demand obedience; rather obedience is willingly given and perfected by grace. So let us resonate with the apostle Paul who spoke of this very subject in his letter to the Ephesians, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9  

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