Striving to Keep His Commandments: A Response to Gratefulness
As Christians, we are called to strive to keep God’s commandments, but it’s important to understand that this effort is not to earn salvation. The idea that we can somehow “pay God back” for the grace we’ve been given is a misunderstanding of the Gospel. Salvation is a gift that we cannot earn through our own works or efforts. It’s only through the grace of God, received by faith in Jesus Christ, that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).
However, our striving to keep God’s commandments is a natural and heartfelt response of gratefulness to the salvation we have already received through Christ. It comes from a place of love, not obligation. As Jesus said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
The more we understand the depth of God’s love for us—expressed in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross—the more we are moved to love Him in return and live in a way that reflects that love. Obedience is not about earning favor with God, but about expressing our love and gratitude for what He has already done for us.
When we keep God’s commandments, we are walking in alignment with His will, and this brings peace, joy, and a closer relationship with Him. It’s also a testimony to the world around us that we have been transformed by the grace of God. Our good works, including obedience to the commandments, are a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, as He empowers us to live in a way that reflects Christ’s character.
In 1 John 4:19, it says, “We love him, because he first loved us.” Our ability to keep His commandments is grounded in the love He has already shown us. Obeying God’s law becomes an outflow of a heart that has been redeemed and filled with gratitude. The more we experience the love of God, the more we want to honor Him and reflect His character to those around us.
The Heart of the Matter: Grace and Obedience Together
It’s crucial to understand that while we strive to obey God’s commandments, obedience does not make us more saved or “righteous.” We are made righteous through Christ alone (Romans 5:19). However, obedience is a sign of spiritual growth and transformation. As we grow in our relationship with God, we become more like Him, and keeping His commandments becomes a natural expression of that transformation.
The Apostle Paul explains this dynamic in Philippians 2:12-13 (KJV):
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
This verse shows us that while we are to strive to live in obedience, it is God’s power in us that makes it possible. God works in us, and as we yield to the Holy Spirit, we become more able to live according to His will. Our obedience is a cooperative effort with the work that God has already begun in us through His Spirit.
Living in Response to the Cross
Ultimately, the reason we strive to obey God’s commandments is because we live in response to the cross of Christ. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love for us, and our response is one of gratefulness and awe. We don’t obey God’s commandments to gain His love; rather, we obey because we have already received His love through Jesus Christ.
By keeping His commandments, we express our commitment to Him, our desire to live as He lived, and our understanding of the great sacrifice He made for us. It is through obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit that we bear witness to the world of the transforming power of the Gospel.
In Conclusion
Our striving to keep God’s commandments is not about earning salvation—it is about responding to the salvation we have already received. Obedience flows from a heart that is grateful, loves God, and seeks to honor Him. We live in a state of thankfulness for the grace that saved us and continue to live in obedience because it is the best way to reflect that grace and love to the world around us.
R Scott Holder writes on spiritual topics for OUTLOOK magazine.
