What drives you ?
What is it that drives you toward obedience to God ?
Fear or love ?
In Exodus 20:20 … Moses spoke to his people who were literally afraid to death of God. He said: “… the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
However, in John 14:15 … Jesus said: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
When I consider the power of the God who can give and take life
… it is ceratinly logical to be obedient. BUT when you love Him for His unlimited and unmatched grace — grace that leads to freedom and eternal life through Jesus — obedience is much sweeter.
Let us obey the Master.
One factor that indicates one’s spiritual maturity is what motivates to obedience. I definitely was motivated by fear and worse yet guilt. Sometimes I still am motivated by guilt. In my own spiritual journey to maturity I have learned that it is much sweeter to be obedient out of love.
I can still remember the first time I was in the throws of temptation and I chose a higher path because of love rather than a spirit of fear or a spirit of guilt (if I gave into the temptation). That was an awesome experience for me. In that moment when I choose not to sin because of love, God poured His love out on me in a way that was so strong, it was as if I almost felt it physically.
Isn’t it kindness that leads us to repentance?
Kindness? I have not heard that before? Maybe Bald could elaborate?