Motivation for Obedience

The believer is assured of salvation from hell and is eternally secure, since that salvation is based solely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39). Therefore, it is inconsistent with the Gospel and with Scripture to seek to gain or keep eternal salvation by godly living. The Scripture, however, does present several motivations for obedience in the Christian life.

First, a powerful motivation for living the Christian life is GRATITUDE to God for saving us by his grace. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2; see also 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 and Galatians 2:20).

Second, believers should also be motivated by the knowledge that their heavenly Father both BLESSES OBEDIENCE and DISCIPLINES DISOBEDIENCE in His children (Hebrews 12:3-11 and Leviticus 26:1-14).
Third, every Christian must stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, not to determine his destiny in heaven or hell, but to assess the quality of his Christian life on earth (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12). ANTICIPATING EITHER REWARD OR LOSS of reward at the Judgment Seat should also motive believers to perseverance and to faithfulness to God’s revealed will (1 Corinthians 3:10-17, 9:24-27; James 5;8-9; 1 John 2:28).

Adapted from: Grace Evangelical Society Affirmation of Belief (brochure), Grace Evangelical Society, Irving, TX.